Altmetrics

Definition

Altmetrics refers to alternative metrics that measure the impact and reach of scholarly research through various online platforms and social media, rather than traditional citation counts. These metrics can include mentions in news articles, blog posts, social media shares, and downloads, providing a broader view of how research influences society. By focusing on immediate engagement and dissemination, altmetrics complements traditional bibliometrics and highlights the importance of open access publishing and the dynamics of open science.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Altmetrics provide real-time data about research outputs, showcasing how quickly and widely research is being discussed and shared online.
2. These metrics are not limited to academic citations; they also consider social media interactions, media coverage, and mentions in policy documents.
3. Altmetrics can highlight the societal impact of research beyond academia, making it useful for researchers looking to demonstrate real-world relevance.
4. Many funding agencies and institutions are beginning to recognize altmetrics as valuable indicators of research impact and engagement.
5. The use of altmetrics can help researchers identify trends in their fields by tracking discussions and engagements around their work across various platforms.

Review Questions

• How do altmetrics differ from traditional metrics like bibliometrics in evaluating research impact?
  • Altmetrics differ from traditional metrics such as bibliometrics by focusing on immediate online engagement rather than solely relying on citation counts. While bibliometrics evaluates research impact through citations in academic literature, altmetrics encompasses a broader range of activities including social media shares, mentions in news articles, and discussions in blogs. This allows for a more comprehensive understanding of a research's influence on society beyond academia.
• Discuss the implications of altmetrics for researchers engaging in open access publishing and how it changes perceptions of research impact.
  • The rise of altmetrics has significant implications for researchers involved in open access publishing as it aligns with the movement's goals of increasing visibility and accessibility of research. By using altmetrics, researchers can showcase the broader societal impact of their work through various online interactions. This shift in perception allows scholars to communicate their findings to a wider audience, illustrating how their research resonates outside traditional academic circles.
• Evaluate how the integration of altmetrics into research assessment can transform funding decisions and institutional evaluations.
  • Integrating altmetrics into research assessment has the potential to transform funding decisions and institutional evaluations by providing a more holistic view of a researcher's impact. Rather than relying solely on traditional metrics like citation counts, funding bodies can consider how widely a researcher’s work is disseminated and engaged with across various platforms. This approach encourages researchers to focus on producing impactful work that resonates with broader audiences, ultimately shaping funding priorities and institutional support towards innovative and socially relevant research.

Related terms

Bibliometrics: The statistical analysis of written publications, such as books or articles, primarily used to assess their impact based on citation counts.

Open Access: A publishing model that allows free access to scholarly articles and research outputs, promoting wider dissemination and engagement.

Impact Factor: A measure reflecting the yearly average number of citations to recent articles published in a specific journal, often used to evaluate journal quality.