Altmetrics are alternative metrics that capture the digital impact of research through social media, blogs, and other online platforms. Unlike traditional citation-based metrics, altmetrics provide a broader view of how research is shared, discussed, and used in the digital age.
Historical Context
Altmetrics emerged as a response to the limitations of traditional citation-based metrics like the Impact Factor, which often failed to account for the diverse ways research is disseminated and consumed in the digital age. The term “altmetrics” was popularized in 2010 by Jason Priem and his colleagues in a manifesto calling for a broader perspective on research impact.
Types/Categories of Altmetrics
- Social Media Mentions: Tracking mentions and shares on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
- Blog Coverage: Monitoring discussions and references in blogs.
- News Outlets: Analyzing the presence of research in news articles and media.
- Policy Documents: Observing citations in policy and government documents.
- Multimedia: Including references in videos, podcasts, and other multimedia.
- Online Reference Managers: Monitoring saves and shares in tools like Mendeley and Zotero.
Key Events
- 2010: Publication of the Altmetrics Manifesto by Jason Priem et al.
- 2011: Introduction of the first altmetrics aggregator, Altmetric.com.
- 2012: Launch of the Altmetric Attention Score.
- 2013: Establishment of the NISO Altmetrics Initiative to standardize altmetrics.
Detailed Explanations
How Altmetrics Work
Altmetrics gather data from various online sources to provide a more comprehensive measure of a research article’s impact. This data is collected through APIs from social media platforms, news websites, blogs, and other online sources. The aggregated data is then analyzed to produce an overall metric or score.
Mathematical Models/Formulae
Altmetric scores are often proprietary and can involve complex algorithms that consider the source of the mention, the author’s influence, and the context of the mention. A simple illustrative formula could look like:
Charts and Diagrams
graph TD
A[Research Article] --> B[Social Media Mentions]
A --> C[Blog Coverage]
A --> D[News Articles]
A --> E[Policy Documents]
A --> F[Multimedia]
A --> G[Online Reference Managers]
Importance and Applicability
Altmetrics provide a faster and broader measure of research impact compared to traditional metrics. They are particularly useful in assessing the reach and influence of research in real-time and across diverse audiences beyond the academic community.
Examples
- A groundbreaking study on climate change may be widely shared on social media, covered in news outlets, and discussed in blogs.
- A medical research article could be referenced in policy documents and saved by numerous users in online reference managers.
Considerations
- Data Integrity: Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data sources.
- Scope: Altmetrics should complement rather than replace traditional metrics.
- Bias: Popular topics may receive more attention, skewing the altmetric scores.
Related Terms with Definitions
- Impact Factor: A traditional metric measuring the average number of citations to articles in a journal.
- H-Index: A metric that attempts to measure both the productivity and citation impact of the publications of a scientist or scholar.
- Citation Analysis: The examination of the frequency, patterns, and graphs of citations in articles and books.
Comparisons
- Altmetrics vs. Traditional Metrics: While traditional metrics focus on citations in academic papers, altmetrics capture a wider array of interactions, including social media, news coverage, and more.
- Altmetrics vs. Bibliometrics: Bibliometrics generally refers to the statistical analysis of written publications, such as books or articles, whereas altmetrics extend this analysis to online activity and engagement.
Interesting Facts
- The Altmetric Attention Score is often visualized with a colorful “donut” icon, where the colors represent different types of online attention.
Inspirational Stories
- Researchers have found that their work reached policymakers and contributed to real-world impact, thanks to the visibility provided by altmetrics.
Famous Quotes
- “We measure what we care about, and we care about what we measure.” – Unknown
- “Research impact is no longer confined to citations alone.” – Jason Priem
Proverbs and Clichés
- “The pen is mightier than the sword.” – Often attributed to Edward Bulwer-Lytton
- “Information travels faster than ever before.”
Expressions, Jargon, and Slang
- Altmetric Donut: The colorful badge representing the Altmetric Attention Score.
- Attention Score: A number representing the cumulative digital attention a research article receives.
FAQs
Q: What are altmetrics?
A: Altmetrics are metrics that track the digital impact of research via social media, blogs, news, policy documents, and other online platforms.
Q: How are altmetrics different from traditional metrics?
A: Traditional metrics measure citations within academic literature, while altmetrics capture a wider range of digital interactions.
Q: Why are altmetrics important?
A: They provide a more immediate and comprehensive measure of research impact, including non-academic audiences.
References
- Priem, J., Taraborelli, D., Groth, P., & Neylon, C. (2010). Altmetrics: A manifesto. http://altmetrics.org/manifesto/
- Thelwall, M., Haustein, S., Larivière, V., & Sugimoto, C. R. (2013). Do Altmetrics Work? Twitter and Ten Other Social Web Services. PLOS ONE.
- Altmetric.com. (n.d.). How it works. https://www.altmetric.com/how-it-works/
Summary
Altmetrics represent a significant advancement in measuring the impact of research in the digital age. By capturing data from a diverse range of online platforms, altmetrics offer a more holistic and immediate view of how research influences both academic and public spheres. Complementing traditional citation-based metrics, altmetrics are poised to play an increasingly crucial role in assessing the reach and relevance of scholarly work.
