Undoubtedly, social networks today are a real springboard to disseminate scientific knowledge and research results. But they are also designed for communication and connection tools, which also can be used to benefit the popularization of science.

In RecerCom we know that one of the best decisions any researcher, research group, institution or science journalist can make is to communicate through social networks. And it has a host of advantages. Here are 15 benefits to adequately manage social networks to disseminate science.

1. Access to knowledge. Social networks enable the society easy access to scientific knowledge. This is one of the main premises of scientific communication. And with social networks, the possibility that citizens are properly informed is multiplied, something that will give them the ability to be critical and aware of the progress of society.

2. Love to explain. To a scientist it is usually a pleasure to explain the results of their research, thus sharing with people that much time and effort it has cost and the benefits it will have for society.

3. Encouraging future scientists. Social networks can spark passion for scientific discovery and research work among young people. These channels attract young audience among which are the ones from tomorrow.

4. Without intermediaries. Science communicators, researchers and their institutions can inform directly to the citizen with social networks, without media or scientific journals as intermediaries, selecting topics and adapting the content.

5. Assured dissemination . The research findings will reach the public even though the media cuts sections of Science or the prestigious research journals exclude it from its contents.

6. Immediate dissemination. Social networks allow publishing the research results as soon as they have been obtained and prepared for release, unlike scientific journals that can keep them for months, which also can’t be spread by another channel. Networks also allow you to share content, opinions and interact with the public as are generated even live in the case of events.

7. Get feedback. Social networks are based on horizontal communication, peer to peer between users, active listening and the ability to comment on what is shared easily. That is why it can be used in scientific research to obtain feedback from the target audience that will help the researcher to ask himself basic questions about the project that he may have not thought of.

8. Claim of participation. Social networks are a quick and appropriate channel to make requests for collaboration, such as promoting a focus group to find participants or seek volunteers for pilot testing.

9. Increase the prestige. With proper management of social networks (in style, content and frequency), the researcher or scientific institution operating the channel will see how your reputation increases. The quality of the research determines the contribution to science, but good communication of this research influences public recognition.

10. Position yourself as an expert. Social networks are an ideal place for the researcher to be seen as an expert in a particular subject in the public mind tool. What you say and how you say it can be critical to be seen as a true understanding on a topic.

11. Global audience. Clicking to publish content automatically reaches an international audience, which can be anywhere in the world.

12. New public. In social networks are a heterogeneous audience, from young to adults, from people with no scientific studies to researchers … This wide range of public relations originates segments with new generations or the approach of a group of disinterested persons, for example.

13. To justify the investment. With the dissemination of research results through social networks it is easy to give access to this knowledge to most of society (interested or not in the subject). This helps institutions to show to society where their money is invested (in the case of public funding or subsidized research).

14. Get social support. By opening to the public and connect with them and explain innovatively and understandably what is investigated, researchers gain greater social support.

15. Influencing prescribers. Through social networks you can also access prescribers that will help advance your research, such as politicians or government technicians who decide where the funding goes. And with good 2.0. communication and social support can be seen in online communities, prescribers may feel some pressure to encourage such research.

Were you aware of everything that social networks can make for the dissemination of science? Can you add any other benefit? Do you think that some of the benefits I have said are not actually benefits?