Altmetrics

Altmetrics

Altmetrics, or alternative metrics, go beyond traditional research metrics to demonstrate awareness of, and interest in, research outputs. They are available openly and immediately as discussion builds online.

Altmetrics can, however, be combined with traditional publishing metrics to tell a more fulsome research impact story by focusing on when research or researchers are mentioned in the news, podcasts, on social media, in policy, and in other non-traditional publishing destinations.
Some databases give the option to track and explre altmetrics.

• Altmetric: (Bookmarklet, platform) Inegrated with PLoS
• PlumX: PlumX Metrics are an Elsevier product, and are available through Scopus, that measure how people engage with research outputs online. This may include number of readers, news and blog mentions, policy citations, and social media shares, likes, and comments.

Altmetrics may enhance your resume/CV, promotion and tenure packages, grant applications, or to enhance your own curated research profiles.

Best practices

Altmetrics can be helpful when traditional research metrics are not useful, for example you work in a field where citations accumulate slowly or in small numbers.

• Never use altmetrics alone, but instead they should be used to expand your research story. Metrics should always be situated within the specific context of the research.
• Altmetrics do not speak to the quality of the research, and may be influenced by political or social factors. They may be influenced by bias or controversy.