Supporting Dental Informatics with Online Communities
Author Information
Author(s): Gunther Eysenbach, Michelle Robinson, Maninder Kahlon, Heiko Spallek, Brian S Butler, Titus K Schleyer, Patricia M Weiss, Xiaoqing Wang, Thankam P Thyvalikakath, Courtney L Hatala, Reza A Naderi
Primary Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Hypothesis
What are the information needs and expectations of prospective members of a community of practice in dental informatics?
Conclusion
The study found that participants preferred electronic resources and expected benefits such as general information and peer networking from the community.
Supporting Evidence
- 85% of respondents preferred electronic resources over print materials.
- 31.1% expected peer networking as a benefit.
- 23.2% sought identification of potential collaborators.
Takeaway
Researchers in dental informatics want to connect with others and share information online, and they prefer using digital resources over traditional books.
Methodology
A web-based survey was administered to assess the information needs and expectations of prospective members of a dental informatics community.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the low response rate and the influence of prior announcements on participants' expectations.
Limitations
The response rate was low at 11.1%, and the study relied on self-reported data, which may be incomplete or incorrect.
Participant Demographics
Respondents were primarily from the United States, with a mix of academic positions and varying levels of experience in dental informatics.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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