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Research Impact

Research Impact

Bibliometrics are simply one tool in your toolbox you can use to demonstrate the impact of your research.

Common issues with the use of bibliometrics

  • Discrepancies between data coming from different sources, e.g. Scopus may show a different h-index than Web of Science for a researcher.
  • Data can be manipulated to fit a narrative.
  • Norms in measuring research impact are discipline-specific and hard to compare across disciplines.
  • The use of research metrics, like H-index, disadvantage early career researchers
  • Using quantitative data only tells part of the story, ignoring non-measurable types of impact.
  • Inequity in citational practices that favours one demographic of researcher over another.

Best Practices

  • Get an ORCID.
  • Maintain the accuracy of your scholarly records/profiles.
  • Compare quantitative indicators across different databases for transparency purposes, and to ensure accuracy.
  • Use an array of metrics to measure impact, do not rely on a single one.
  • Compare metrics only when appropriate, for example researchers within a same discipline and career length.
  • Balance qualitative and quantitative impact measures in your assessment.

Responsible Use of Metrics

There is a growing trend in the responsible use of research metrics for assessment purposes. The following resources provide more information about the responsible use of metrics in defining research impact, and may be helpful when applying for promotion and tenure, as well as in applying for grants through the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC).

 

Contacts & Support

Julie Morris
Bibliometrics Librarian