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Bipolar disorder research 2.0: Web technologies for research capacity and knowledge translation
Author(s) -
Michalak Erin E.,
McBride Sally,
Barnes Steven J.,
Wood Chanel S.,
Khatri Nasreen,
Balram Elliott Nusha,
Parikh Sagar V.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of evaluation in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.737
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2753
pISSN - 1356-1294
DOI - 10.1111/jep.12736
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , social media , web 2.0 , world wide web , knowledge translation , analytics , knowledge management , psychosocial , knowledge sharing , the internet , variety (cybernetics) , computer science , psychology , data science , paleontology , psychiatry , biology , artificial intelligence
Abstract Rationale, aims and objectives Current Web technologies offer bipolar disorder (BD) researchers many untapped opportunities for conducting research and for promoting knowledge exchange. In the present paper, we document our experiences with a variety of Web 2.0 technologies in the context of an international BD research network: The Collaborative RESearch Team to Study psychosocial issues in BD (CREST.BD). Methods Three technologies were used as tools for enabling research within CREST.BD and for encouraging the dissemination of the results of our research: (1) the crestbd.ca website, (2) social networking tools (ie, Facebook, Twitter), and (3) several sorts of file sharing (ie YouTube, FileShare). For each Web technology, we collected quantitative assessments of their effectiveness (in reach, exposure, and engagement) over a 6‐year timeframe (2010‐2016). Results In general, many of our strategies were deemed successful for promoting knowledge exchange and other network goals. We discuss how we applied our Web analytics to inform adaptations and refinements of our Web 2.0 platforms to maximise knowledge exchange with people with BD, their supporters, and health care providers. Conclusions We conclude with some general recommendations for other mental health researchers and research networks interested in pursuing Web 2.0 strategies.