Features of Social Networking Sites:
The following are some of the features of SNSs in general. Hadagali and Kenchakkanavar (2015) in their paper have made an attempt to provide the exhaustive list of various features of SNSs since the features of differing from one SNSs to another in many aspects. 
- SNSs allow users to have online profiles and invite others to be their friends.
- SNSs help to share, interact and discuss among people of similar interest.
- It enables to create forums, groups, events, and listings etc.
- It helps to create and form social and community groups.
- It encourages people to join virtual groups based on common interest.
- It allows users to share experiences, ideas, events, activities, and interests within the individual network.
- SNSs allow individuals to be visible to others and established or maintained a connection with others.
- It allows getting help from other researchers in the same area of study.
- It provides a platform for sharing quick updates about recent developments in one’s particular area of research.
- It always gives easy access to get information about various vacant positions available in an institute through sharing of status.
- SNSs are useful in knowing and learning new tools in research work.
- Some of the SNSs allow chatting.
- Some of the SNSs allow video conferencing.
- Few of the SNSs offer free phone calls.
- 15. It facilitates alerts on subjects regarding seminars / conferences / workshops or activities / programmes.
Benefits of Social Networking Sites:
According to Mason and Rennie (2008); Fernandez (2009) the benefits of SNSs can be summarized as follows:
1. SNSs help to announce programmes or activities of the organization/institution by flashing the news;
2. SNS help to advertise events and create online study groups for the aspirants;
3. SNSs give the opportunity to the members to ask questions pertaining to an issue or a problem;
4. SNSs link the users to videos, online tutorials, how to use a device, education programmes etc.
5. Content is continually refreshed by the users rather than requiring expert input;
6. Social networking supports collaborative work, thereby allowing users to develop the skills of working in teams;
7. SNSs can be excellent tools for allowing learners to clarify concepts, establish meaningful links; and
8. It provides a public forum in which the process of information, refinement, application, and revision is fully visible to student peers and teachers.
For citing this article use:
- Anand, K. (2018). Use of Social Networking Sites and Web 3 0 Tools by the Research Scholars of State Universities in Karnataka A Study. Retrieved from: http://hdl.handle.net/10603/225416