Collaborating Neuroscience Online: The Case of the Human Brain Project Forum

Kreyer A-C, Wang LX (2022) Collaborating neuroscience online: The case of the Human Brain Project forum. PLoS ONE 17(12): e0278402. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278402

Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper No. 22-10

35 Pages Posted: 6 Jun 2022 Last revised: 13 Dec 2022

See all articles by Ann-Christin Kreyer

Ann-Christin Kreyer

Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition

Lucy Xiaolu Wang

University of Massachusetts Amherst - Department of Resource Economics; Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition

Date Written: June 2, 2022

Abstract

This paper analyzes user interactions on the public-access online forum of the Human Brain Project (HBP), a major European Union-funded neuroscience research initiative, to understand the utility of the Forum for collaborative problem solving. We construct novel data using discussion forum posts and detailed user profiles on the HBP Forum. We find that HBP Forum utilization is comparable to that of a leading general-interest coding platform, and that online usage metrics quickly recovered after an initial Covid-19-related dip. Regression results show that user interactions on the Forum are more active for questions on programming and in HBP core areas. Further, Cox proportional hazard analyses show that such problems are solved faster. Forum posts with users from different countries tend to be discussed more actively but solved slower. Higher shares of administrator support tend to solve problems faster. There are no clear patterns regarding gender and seniority. Our results suggest that building novel collaborative forums can support researchers working on complex topics in challenging times.

Keywords: online user forum, Human Brain Project, neuroscience research, platforms

Suggested Citation

Kreyer, Ann-Christin and Wang, Lucy Xiaolu, Collaborating Neuroscience Online: The Case of the Human Brain Project Forum (June 2, 2022). Kreyer A-C, Wang LX (2022) Collaborating neuroscience online: The case of the Human Brain Project forum. PLoS ONE 17(12): e0278402. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278402, Max Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper No. 22-10, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4126273 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4126273

Ann-Christin Kreyer (Contact Author)

Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition ( email )

Marstallplatz 1
Munich, Bayern 80539
Germany

Lucy Xiaolu Wang

University of Massachusetts Amherst - Department of Resource Economics ( email )

Stockbridge Hall
80 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.lucyxiaoluwang.com/

Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition ( email )

Marstallplatz 1
Munich, Bayern 80539
Germany

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