Trespassing the gates of research: identifying algorithmic mechanisms that can cause distortions and biases in academic social media

PurposeThe use of recommender systems is increasing on academic social media (ASM). However, distinguishing the elements that may be influenced and/or exert influence over content that is read and disseminated by researchers is difficult due to the opacity of the algorithms that filter information on ASM. In this article, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how algorithmic mediation through recommender systems in ResearchGate may uphold biases in scholarly communication.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a multi-method walkthrough approach including a patent analysis, an interface analysis and an inspection of the web page code.FindingsThe findings reveal how audience influences on the recommendations and demonstrate in practice the mutual shaping of the different elements interplaying within the platform (artefact, practices and arrangements). The authors show evidence of the mechanisms of selection, prioritization, datafication and profiling. The authors also substantiate how the algorithm reinforces the reputation of eminent researchers (a phenomenon called the Matthew effect). As part of defining a future agenda, we discuss the need for serendipity and algorithmic transparency.Research limitations/implicationsAlgorithms change constantly and are protected by commercial secrecy. Hence, this study was limited to the information that was accessible within a particular period. At the time of publication, the platform, its logic and its effects on the interface may have changed. Future studies might investigate other ASM using the same approach to distinguish potential patterns among platforms.Originality/valueContributes to reflect on algorithmic mediation and biases in scholarly communication potentially afforded by recommender algorithms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical study on automated mediation and biases in ASM.

Politike roditeljskih dopusta, sustavi ranog i predškolskog odgoja i obrazovanja, rodne i društvene nejednakosti u postjugoslavenskim zemljama

Access is to well-paid parentsleave and affordable and quality early childhood and early childhood education (R & D) services in the early parenting phase, in order to create the preconditions for equal parental participation in labor market and care and enable equals opportunities for every child. In spite of, many parents and children do not have (adequate) access to these measures. Moreover, with gender inequalities in care and employment, studies growing indicate the so-called. the effect of St. Matthew (Matthew effect) in the use of parental leave and services of the RPOO, ie how disadvantaged familiesbenefit less from paid parental leave and RPOO services (Ghysels and van Lancker, 2011; Pavolini and van Lancker,2018; McKay et al., 2016)576 / 5.000 Rezultati prijevoda Such an outcome is primarily related to the design of parental leave policies and the RPOO system, as indicated by the analysis presented here within the InCARE project. The analysis highlights the multidimensional character and complexity of the system of parental leave and RPOO in post-Yugoslav countries. care and employment (more details in Dobrotić, 2019, 2021).

Opening the black box of recurrence in innovation policy

This paper studies the role that the three theoretical sources of recurrence – the Matthew effect – play in the process of the first and recurrent granting of innovation public funds. Those sources are a firm’s “reputation”, “innovation capabilities” and “formulation capabilities”. The empirical analysis is based on the Argentinean Technological Fund (in Spanish, FONTAR) between 2007-2018. The results show that firms’ formulation skills increase the probability of funds initially being granted, and then additional formulation skills and innovation capabilities increase the probability of recurrence, while reputation does the opposite.

Contributions of declarative memory and prior knowledge to incidental L2 vocabulary learning

The bulk of second language (L2) vocabulary learning happens incidentally through reading (Rott, 2007; Webb, 2008), but individual differences, such as prior knowledge, modulate the efficacy of such incidental learning. One individual difference that is strongly predicted to play a role in L2 vocabulary is declarative memory ability; however, links between these two abilities have not been explored (Hamrick, Lum, & Ullman, 2018). This study considered declarative memory in conjunction with varying degrees of prior knowledge, since declarative memory may serve a compensatory function (Ullman & Pullman, 2015). L2 Spanish learners completed measures of prior Spanish vocabulary knowledge, declarative memory ability, and incidental L2 vocabulary learning. The results suggest that better declarative memory predicts better immediate learning in general and better vocabulary retention two days later, but only for those with more prior knowledge, consistent with the Matthew Effect previously reported in the literature (Stanovich, 1986).

Proof of Engagement: A Flexible Blockchain Consensus Mechanism

Consensus mechanism plays an important role in blockchain. At present, mainstream consensus mechanisms include proof of work (PoW), proof of stake (PoS), and delegated proof of stake (DPoS). PoW, as is widely used in virtual currency, results in significant energy consumption; PoS and DPoS are proposed to reduce energy waste caused by PoW, but their disadvantage is that they tend to create Matthew Effect (ME): “the rich get richer.” In order to balance the discourse power of new nodes and elder ones, this paper proposes a flexible consensus mechanism called proof of engagement (PoE), based on the activity and contribution of network nodes. We analyze the incentive compatibility of PoE from the perspective of mechanism design. In our simulation experiments, we tested the profit changes under PoW, PoS, and PoE. The results illustrate it is easier for new nodes to accumulate their profits under PoE than under PoW or PoS, so as to reduce the negative impacts of ME.