Engaging User in Academic Social Network: Identifying Effective Factors (Case study: Research Gate)

Abstract

In this study, a theme analysis conducted to identify effective factor for engaging user to academic social network. Use and gratification theory was used as theoretical foundation for the study. To do this, in-depth interviews was conducted with 20 Research Gate user. Findings showed that seven factors include of communication, promotion of professional knowledge and identity, information seeking, awareness, social engagement, collaboration establishment as well as value creation, are affecting user engagement in Research Gate. Finding also indicated that users primarily seek information to enhance their professional identity; then they engage and use the Research Gate network in order to enrich their knowledge and professional identity, increase their academic collaborations, social engagements and communications with other researchers in their scientific community.

Keywords

• academic social networks
• user engagement
• research gate