Managing the Presence and Digital Identity of the Researchers in a Distance Learning Community: Some Impacts

Abstract

This chapter is intended to understand the importance of the presence of junior researchers on the social web in establishing contacts with other researchers or specialists. Being present on the social web allows young researchers to create and manage their own digital identity. This study focused on a community of junior researchers from a Portuguese University where the members of the community were asked to answer a questionnaire with the data they used when they registered as researchers. During data analysis, it was observed that this group of researchers coincide with what most of the literature proposes, though deviating in some points from the generality. Yet, researchers give great importance to the development of their digital skills to strengthen their online presence and which gives them credibility and recognition in the scientific community and as open researchers.

Key Terms in this Chapter

Informal Learning: Consists in learning what each individual does with their peers or society spontaneously or intentionally.

Web 2.0: A term created by O’Reilly in 2004 that represents the evolution and interaction of individuals with the internet these days.

Social Networks: The social network consists of the network that is created by the individuals for an interaction with other individuals with common interests.

Social Software: Consists of all applications that exist on the internet; the concept of Web 2.0.