It is true, ICT helps a lot. Keeping connected to different social networks like FB, Twitter, ResearchGate, Academia, Linkedin...,may cause serious internet addiction!

There is a greater role of communication technology not only in the life of researchers but in the lives of common man also. For researcher its easy to find desired literature, earlier printed material was valued , but nowadays with the help of internet one can easily access the material. Combination of mobile and internet is wonderful. Influence of technology is so much that its difficult now to image life without it.

One of the dominant contemporary cultural trends that can be related to the issue is the assumption that the modern user, actively using new communication tools, wants to be connected to the network all the time.

Life of researcher is much easier, as Neresh wrote.

It is true, ICT helps a lot. Keeping connected to different social networks like FB, Twitter, ResearchGate, Academia, Linkedin...,may cause serious internet addiction!

Dear Shaidah

Research and teaching are increasingly connected to the communication process

Currently the internet and computing technologies are fundamental tools in the speed of responses in search of information and enables real-time interactivity with everyone

Communication technology can be seen as a real and necessary component of research life, nowadays.The number of conferences that are life-streamed is increasing, and the various networks profit form the internet at large in its numerous applications. The fantastic help of databases, accessible, many of them from our homes, etc., is a marvelous tool for our life as researchers.

A crucial point here is the discussion between open source languages and systems versus closed and patented (or licensed) rods, databases and the like.

I don't have a smartphone nor an Ipad. My mobile is very old, but I use a new laptop and I have to use it everyday. Indeed, new technologies have helped me a lot in my research projects and I trully believe they will always be helpful to select key information for my routine.

It is difficult to say today how to conduct research without internet at least in engineering disciplines. You may do research without using the ICT but then you will be spending more effort than otherwise. As Ljubomir says it may become very addictive.

I think that communication technology is a great help in research since it helps to do work twice. It was never so easy to see what other researchers and to get inspired by work that was already done in a specific reserach field.

However, I recommend to not only rely on such communication technolgy, but also to have the direct dialog among researchers in face-to-face meetings.

Hello, technology has certainly made all forms of information easier to access. However, its useful to reflect on weather ease of access to information is the same as ease of access to quality/relevant information. I would suggest the one person whose face to face advice is most valuable in your research is your Librarian. They know how to find what is useful and relevant and they have the tools to do it. BW Matt

Definitely technology is part and parcel of day to day life .However ,we should be careful enough so that we will not be disabled during absence of technology

Yes Research & Development have been enhanced so much by exploiting the power of communication technology, among others. However, its so huge good things and then cant follow everything...frustration is in.

As a researcher, I feel I have a big library in my small bag, where I can search, retrieve and store research results from different places around the world. If I need to know something, I just makes my finger tips work, as what was written by Nelson, Pedro, Matt, Andreas, Marta, Naresh and Carlos. With many kinds of social networks, as mentioned by Ljubomir, I have friends to talk to, to discuss and debate about any subject. But at the same time, I cannot receive nonverbal communication., gesture, hear a laugh and see a smile. My life has become somehow virtual and artificial....

While I agree with the premise that ICTs have greatly changed the way research is now being conducted, however, it is not always a desirable trait as it also brings some distractions along with it. The social media, though helps us in keeping us updated with the latest developments, is also a big time addiction source, e.g. Twitter or Facebook. Though some people do use it to further their research agenda, most do not. While sharing of ones work with a larger audience is now possible through various platforms, like LinkedIn, SSRN, Researchgate, Academia, Scribd etc. I do not find many people making their best uses. It is high time that researchers share their work, questions and concerns related to research, so that better quality of work is ensured by using these ICT platforms.

Smart phones though a very useful instrument, hove yet to demonstrate their uses for a researcher.