Article type
Year
Abstract
Background:
The Cochrane Library has distinguished itself as a source of evidence-based information that strives to synthesise relevant and current data across health care. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is a leading source of systematic reviews available around the world in various languages. Facebook offers a unique platform for The Cochrane Library to connect and interact with its users and disseminate information.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence and activity of The Cochrane Library on Facebook.
Methods:
The search term ‘Cochrane’ was entered into the Facebook search query and the results were viewed to determine Cochrane-specific pages. The same search query was also used to search for each individual Cochrane Review Group. For 15 Cochrane-focused Facebook pages, the Facebook metrics of engagement this week; total page likes; new page likes (increase from last week); and posts this week, were obtained using the Facebook administrator function. Of note, Facebook groups were not included because these data are not available for them (i.e. Italian Cochrane Network and Centre, etc.). Data collection was conducted by study authors (LB and CK) on 26 March 2014.
Results:
The six Cochrane Review Groups with Facebook pages were Back, Oral Health, Airways, Schizophrenia, Hypertension and Skin (Table 1). Facebook engagement was greatest for ‘The Cochrane Library’ and ‘Centro Cochrane do Brasil,’ 166 and 202 respectively. Seven pages had zero engagement and five pages had engagement less than 10. ‘The Cochrane Library’ had the greatest number of total page likes (n = 7300), followed by ‘Cochrane Journal Club’ with 4700 likes.
Conclusions:
Of the 15 pages evaluated, eight pages had Facebook engagement, while seven lacked any engagement. Perhaps pages lacking engagement need to use strategies to increase traffic on their pages. Divisions of The Cochrane Library and Cochrane Review Groups lacking Facebook pages should consider Facebook to further connect with their audience.
The Cochrane Library has distinguished itself as a source of evidence-based information that strives to synthesise relevant and current data across health care. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is a leading source of systematic reviews available around the world in various languages. Facebook offers a unique platform for The Cochrane Library to connect and interact with its users and disseminate information.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence and activity of The Cochrane Library on Facebook.
Methods:
The search term ‘Cochrane’ was entered into the Facebook search query and the results were viewed to determine Cochrane-specific pages. The same search query was also used to search for each individual Cochrane Review Group. For 15 Cochrane-focused Facebook pages, the Facebook metrics of engagement this week; total page likes; new page likes (increase from last week); and posts this week, were obtained using the Facebook administrator function. Of note, Facebook groups were not included because these data are not available for them (i.e. Italian Cochrane Network and Centre, etc.). Data collection was conducted by study authors (LB and CK) on 26 March 2014.
Results:
The six Cochrane Review Groups with Facebook pages were Back, Oral Health, Airways, Schizophrenia, Hypertension and Skin (Table 1). Facebook engagement was greatest for ‘The Cochrane Library’ and ‘Centro Cochrane do Brasil,’ 166 and 202 respectively. Seven pages had zero engagement and five pages had engagement less than 10. ‘The Cochrane Library’ had the greatest number of total page likes (n = 7300), followed by ‘Cochrane Journal Club’ with 4700 likes.
Conclusions:
Of the 15 pages evaluated, eight pages had Facebook engagement, while seven lacked any engagement. Perhaps pages lacking engagement need to use strategies to increase traffic on their pages. Divisions of The Cochrane Library and Cochrane Review Groups lacking Facebook pages should consider Facebook to further connect with their audience.