title: The case of #arseniclife: Blogs and Twitter in informal peer review.
abstract: Using the "#arseniclife" controversy as a case study, we examine the roles of blogs and Twitter in post-publication review. The controversy was initiated by a scientific article about bacteria able to substitute arsenic for phosphorus in its genetic material. We present the debate chronologically, using prominent online media to reconstruct the events. Using tweets that discussed the controversy, we conducted quantitative sentiment analysis to examine skeptical and non-skeptical tones on Twitter. Critiques of and studies refuting the arsenic life hypothesis were publicized on blogs before formal publication in traditional academic spaces and were shared on Twitter, influencing issue salience among a range of audiences. This case exemplifies the role of new media in informal post-publication peer review, which can complement traditional peer review processes. The implications drawn from this case study for future conduct and transparency of both formal and informal peer review are discussed.
authors.affiliation: The University of Utah, USA.|University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
authors.forename: Sara K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.|University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA; Morgridge Institute for Research, USA.|University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brossard
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
authors.forename: Kaine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Korzekwa
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA; Morgridge Institute for Research, USA.
authors.forename: Dietram A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Scheufele
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Xenos
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D057218:Blogging; D033181:Information Dissemination; D010380:Peer Review; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D011639:Public Opinion; D061108:Social Media
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D001151:Arsenic
keywords: Twitter; blogs; informal post-publication peer review; new media; sentiment analysis