Analysis of Iranian faculty information sharing in social networks: the case of Shahid Chamran University

Purpose. Today, the role and importance of social networking in sharing information, ideas, experiences, information, and facilitating team research is undeniable. Thus, the purpose of this research is to analyze scientific information sharing of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (Iran) faculty in social networks. Method. This study which is conducted through quantitative and qualitative methods, is an applied research in terms of aim, and is of a descriptive-analytic type in nature. The population included all faculty members of Shahid Chamran University. Using Krejcie-Morgan Table, 220 people were randomly selected as the sample among 599 total population. Of 220 questionnaires distributed, 193 completed questionnaires were returned and used in data analysis (87.72% response rate). Interview was also applied to complete the information gathered through the questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics (such as frequency, frequency percentage, mean, and standard deviation) as well as inferential statistics including one-sample t-test, and Friedman rank test were applied. Findings. The findings showed that most respondents spend less than 30 minutes daily to share scientific information through social networks. They use Telegram network for this purpose more frequently. They use social networks especially for “finding relevant information sources” and “sharing and receiving new scientific news”. Among different capabilities of social networks, respondents mostly use their personal profiles to share their publications and interests. The most important barriers for them to use the social networks is lack of instruction on how to use social networks to share scientific information. Results. Using social networks among faculty members will encourage them to share scientific information and exchange ideas, and hence, help to develop science, create new information, and increase scientific production. Originality/Value. Review of the literature in this field shows that most of the previous studies investigated and described effective factors in information sharing in social media, role of social networking in scientific information communication, and the amount they are used in information sharing. None of the previous studies did consider information sharing behavior of Shahid Chamran University.