Using Social Media Data to Research the Impact of Campus Green Spaces on Students’ Emotions: A Case Study of Nanjing Campuses

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

please see the attached file

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

This study is comprehensive, if localized, and well-written.

Can the authors offer evidence (or logical reasoning) that the results are applicable beyond Nanjing?

Table 1:  wouldn’t tree density be a better metric than simply tree number?

Figure 4:  I believe that a relationship exists between the pairs of variables, but the degree of scatter tells me there are other variables that would improve the models.  Green space quality looks the best in this context. 

Is there any way of interpreting the meaning of the correlations?  Or, rather, what does an increase in positive mood by 0.184 units (*line 297) mean to a person in absolute or relative terms?

Lines 361-363:  expand on the meaning or relative utility of the different impacts on mental health benefits

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

This manuscript fundamentally lacks coherence and inevitability in its logic. The rationale for focusing on green spaces within the campus, as well as the connectivity between the necessity for this research, the applied research methodology, and the implications derived from the results, is insufficient.

1. Although green spaces are distributed within the city, why concentrate specifically on campus green spaces?

2. Are there distinctive features of green spaces in well-known and prestigious university campuses?

3. What is the scale and typology of green spaces within the campus? Are there criteria for the minimum area?

4. Why the concentration on social media data? What sets this research apart from previous studies on campus green spaces?

5. While it is generally agreed that green spaces have a positive impact on the behavior of the general public, does focusing on university green spaces imply positive effects only for students? Have you considered the impact on individuals, such as local residents utilizing university facilities like the library or infrastructure? The research objective needs to be clearly defined.

6. Where is the review of the applied research methodology documented? What distinguishes it from other methodologies?

7. To enhance understanding of the paper's development, please add a flowchart illustrating the research process.

8. What are the practical applications of the research results? Have they been utilized in local education policies or for campus spatial planning?

Extensive editing of English language required.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper improved a lot, however, I have some more comments:

Considering the transformative impact of the COVID-19 period on education, it would be beneficial to explore how technological advancements, particularly those related to online learning, have influenced the students' experience. Including information about the technological tools and platforms adopted by students during online study could provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of education. This could encompass aspects such as:

Digital Learning Platforms: Investigating the prevalence and effectiveness of digital learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and collaborative tools that students utilized during the online study period.

Technological Adaptation: Exploring how students adapted to technological changes, including the integration of smart devices, software applications, and communication tools to enhance their educational experience.

Impact on Green Spaces: Considering whether the integration of technology during the COVID-19 period had any noticeable effects on students' interactions with campus green spaces. Did technology adoption alter patterns of outdoor activities or contribute to a more seamless blend of virtual and physical environments?

Including these aspects in the study would provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between technological advancements, online education, and the positive impact of campus green spaces on students' mental health. Please see: 10.3390/educsci12080573.

To further enrich the exploration of the post-COVID educational landscape, consider incorporating specific examples of innovative teaching methods and the integration of social media in the learning process. This would provide a more nuanced understanding of how technological advancements have reshaped the educational experience. Here are some areas to consider:

Innovative Teaching Methods:

Flipped Classroom Models: Explore how educators implemented flipped classroom models, where students engage with instructional content online before class, allowing for more interactive and collaborative in-person or virtual discussions. See: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104537

Virtual Laboratories: Highlight instances where virtual laboratories or simulations were employed to enhance hands-on learning experiences, especially in disciplines traditionally requiring physical labs.

Use of Social Media for Teaching:

Online Collaborative Platforms: Examine how educators leveraged platforms like Slack, Teams, or other collaborative tools for seamless communication, group projects, and discussions outside traditional classroom settings.

Educational Influencers: Discuss whether students and educators actively utilized social media platforms for educational content, collaboration, or following educational influencers to stay updated on relevant topics. See: 10.3390/ani13223503

Impact on Student Engagement:

Gamification in Education: Explore the integration of gamification elements in teaching methods to enhance student engagement and motivation.

Social Media Feedback and Interaction: Investigate how educators used social media for real-time feedback, Q&A sessions, or fostering a sense of community among students.

Including these specific examples will shed light on the dynamic ways in which technology, new teaching methods, and social media have intersected in the post-COVID educational environment.

Author Response

请参阅附件。

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors elevated the completeness of the manuscript within a short timeframe. Despite the challenging editing process, substantial progress has been made. However, this paper requires a broader interpretation in terms of methodology, data, and applications for submission as an international journal.

1. The authors have described the reasons for focusing on campus greenery and its importance, but this is subjective without sufficient academic evidence. Please thoroughly review other studies on campus greenery and incorporate their findings into the main text rather than just the abstract.

2. According to Figure 2, some universities have large-scale city parks nearby. Elaborate on the relevance of the school's greenery to these city parks. This aspect should be discussed in the discussion section as green spaces are interconnected elements in urban planning, supporting diverse ecosystems. While the authors concentrated on university greenery, it should be recognized as part of urban green spaces from a broader perspective.

3. The authors emphasized the importance of the Social Media Data (SMD) in their research. What sets this study apart from others utilizing SDM? The manuscript only highlights the advantages; are there no disadvantages?

4. Sufficient review of the research methodology is needed. The authors used the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to assess vegetation vigor on campus. Most studies in Asia utilizing NDVI focus on the summer months (July to September) when deciduous leaves are most abundant. Winter poses limitations due to deciduous leaves falling. If there's a specific reason for the chosen data period, elaborate on it. Additionally, objective diagram information such as land-use plans, land status maps, and digital terrain maps can enhance the analysis of campus greenery. Overlaying NDVI with these maps would enhance the manuscript's completeness.

5. The paper mentions conducting a survey on the factors listed in Table 1. Provide detailed information on the survey process, including the target audience, the number of participants, and their professions and majors.

6 .Explain what BIGEMAP, Sina Weibo, and other programs mentioned are. Provide detailed descriptions of the programs used by the authors to enhance international readers' understanding.

7. The authors claimed that the research results could be linked to regional policies. Describe how these results align with the country's laws and policies. Can they be applied to educational policies or integrated with urban greenery and park policies?

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Extensive editing of Eng. language required.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 3

Reviewer 1 Report

Thank you for your changes, please provide appropriate references for the introduced new parts.

BR

Author Response

Thank you for your suggestion, I have revised the content and structure of the article, see my latest post.

Reviewer 3 Report

We express gratitude to the authors for their efforts in enhancing the completeness of the manuscript within a short time frame.

Moderate editing of English language required

Author Response

Thank you for your suggestion, I have revised the content and structure of the article, see my latest post.