OpenRefine (formerly Google Refine) is a powerful tool for working with messy data: cleaning it; transforming it from one format into another; extending it with web services; and linking it to databases like Freebase.

Example of blogging to raise research profile.

"More and more scientists are communicating via social media to find, publicise and discuss current research. This trend has been highlighted in two recent papers that look at the influence of social media on the professional practice of scientists. One article from the journal PLOS Biology acts as a primer for scientists using social media tools. The other, still a pre-print, looks at the role of Twitter in the life cycle of scientific ideas."

SPARTANS WILL. 360 Join the adventure as the Michigan State University President’s Report 360 crew travels the world to see the life-changing work of MSU researchers. 

Includes John Lamp's article ERA: Eggs & Baskets

Social media is a new form of communication that is changing behaviours and expectations of researchers, employers and funding bodies.




The goal of this handbook is to assist researchers and their supervisors to adopt and use social media tools in the service of their research, and, in particular, in engaging in the discourse of research. The handbook presents an innovative suite of resources for developing and maintaining a social media strategy for research dialogues.

Version of Social Media in the Research Workflow (2010)