DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MODELS OF RESEARCH NETWORKS

Introduction
Within the information society, there are recently created spaces focused on the creation and dissemination of the science advances and experiences. According to the International Conference of the Information Society held in Switzerland in December (2003): “The knowledge society is a new way of social organization, more complex, in which the information and communication technologies, an equal access and adequate contends in accessible formats should allow people self-fulfillment, promote an economic and social development, improving the quality of life and contribute to eradicate the world poverty”.
The use of a network implies the application of new models and possibilities for the creation and reflection of different individuals who work collaboratively through the virtual space (Domínguez y Lara, 2005). The network space integrates constant information exchanges, in multiple directions in which the heterogeneity is the cornerstone. There are no longer geographical, economic, political or social barriers, overcoming time and space limitations.

Methodology
A new network system has been designed within Higher Education settings, creating a new space for enhancing international research. In this paper we analyze the constitution of an electronic networking in the field of research from the implementation of information and communication technologies in the context of higher education.

Results
Research based on network-mediated platforms transform ways of shaping and consolidating groups of researchers and is a tool of information and communication of scientific knowledge. The concepts of globalization, telematic networks, the information society and electronic digital platforms are in the frame of research networks that operate in virtual environments university and responding to the policy trends of the international and national agencies on the matter.

Conclusions
The development of collaborative research projects requires of the establishment of a confidence environment and efficient tools to facilitate cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Within the university settings, electronic platforms provide scientific information dissemination as well as enhance education and research. From an academic approach, the term “network” refers to the way in which the participants overcome traditional methods of processing data and information, and learn alternatives for the decision-making process and knowledge management. This situation occurs according each institution dynamic and the structure of the network established.