In the world of academic research, the impact of a study is traditionally measured by metrics such as the number of citations it receives or the impact factor of the journals in which it is published.
However, these traditional measures have limitations and fail to capture the full scope of a study’s influence. This is where alternative metrics, or ‘altmetrics’, come into play.
Altmetrics offers a new way to assess research impact by considering a broader range of indicators, such as social media mentions, downloads, and online discussions. In this latest PA EDitorial blog, we explore the power of altmetrics and how they can maximise research impact beyond traditional measures.
The importance of measuring research impact
Measuring the impact of research is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows researchers to demonstrate the significance of their work to funding bodies, institutions, and the wider scientific community. Research impact is often a key criterion in grant applications and tenure evaluations.
Moreover, understanding the impact of research can help researchers identify areas for improvement, collaboration opportunities, and potential avenues for dissemination. By measuring impact, researchers can also track the reach and influence of their work, in turn gaining insight into how their research is being received and utilised by various audiences.
Traditional metrics vs altmetrics
Traditional metrics, such as citation counts and journal impact factors, have long been the gold standard for evaluating the impact of research. While these measures provide valuable insights, they have their limitations. For example, citation counts can be biased towards older studies and may not capture the influence of research in emerging fields.
Additionally, journal impact factors do not necessarily reflect the quality or significance of individual articles within a journal. Altmetrics offers a more comprehensive approach by considering a wider range of impact indicators.
Types of altmetrics
Altmetrics encompass a wide range of indicators that can be used to assess research impact. Some common types include:
- Social media: social media mentions, such as tweets or Facebook shares, can provide insights into online visibility and the level of engagement with a study.
- Downloads and views: the downloads and views of research articles also serve as indicators of interest and readership.
- Referencing: altmetrics can include references in policy documents or guidelines which demonstrate the influence of research on decision-making processes.
- Other indicators: these can consist of blog posts, media coverage, and even mentions in online forums or scholarly collaboration platforms.
By considering these diverse metrics, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of their work’s impact and reach. They also provide a more nuanced and timely view of research impact.
Using altmetrics to assess research impact
Altmetrics can be a valuable tool for assessing research impact, but it is important to use them in conjunction with traditional metrics.
By combining both types of metrics, researchers can gain a more holistic view of their impact. For example, while citation counts provide insights into a study’s scholarly influence, altmetrics can reveal its broader societal impact.
These altmetrics can also provide timely feedback and allow researchers to track the immediate impact of their work, even before it receives citations. By monitoring them, researchers can identify trends, engage in discussions surrounding their research, and respond to emerging opportunities for collaboration or dissemination.
Challenges and limitations of altmetrics
While altmetrics offers many advantages, they also come with challenges and limitations. One challenge is the lack of standardised methodologies for collecting and analysing altmetrics.
Different platforms and tools may measure metrics in several ways, making it difficult to compare and consolidate data. Additionally, altmetrics are susceptible to manipulation, such as fake social media mentions or excessive self-promotion.
Another limitation is the potential bias towards certain disciplines or types of research, as altmetrics may be more prevalent within fields with a strong online presence.
Yet, despite these challenges, altmetrics are continuously evolving, and efforts are being made to develop standardised practices which will help to overcome these limitations.
Strategies for maximising research impact using altmetrics
To maximise research impact using altmetrics, researchers can employ several strategies.
Firstly, it is important to curate and maintain an online presence. Engaging with social media platforms, academic networks, and scholarly collaboration platforms can increase the visibility of research and facilitate discussions and collaborations.
Researchers can also proactively promote their work through blog posts, press releases, and media engagement. By actively participating in online conversations and sharing research findings, researchers can enhance the likelihood of their work being mentioned and discussed.
Additionally, it is beneficial to make research outputs more accessible and open. Publishing in open access journals or repositories increases the chances of downloads and views, which can contribute to altmetrics.
Using these approaches, researchers can actively seek partnerships and collaborations with organisations or individuals who have a strong online presence, as this can amplify the reach and impact of their work.
Tools and resources for tracking and analysing altmetrics
Several tools and resources are available to researchers to track and analyse altmetrics.
One popular tool is Altmetric, which provides a comprehensive overview of the online attention received by research outputs. The platform tracks social media mentions, news articles, policy documents, and other indicators to generate a score that reflects the overall attention received.
Another tool is PlumX Metrics, which combines altmetrics with traditional metrics in order to provide a holistic view of research impact. PlumX Metrics categorises altmetrics into five categories: usage, captures, mentions, social media, and citations. Researchers can also utilise institutional repositories which track the views and downloads of research outputs.
These tools and resources enable researchers to track and analyse altmetrics, gaining insights into the impact and reach of their work.
Future trends in altmetrics
As the field of altmetrics continues to evolve, several future trends are emerging.
First, there is a growing emphasis on standardised methodologies for collecting and analysing altmetrics. Efforts are being made to develop frameworks and guidelines that ensure consistent practices across different platforms and tools. This will facilitate data consolidation and comparison and enhance the reliability and validity of altmetrics.
Second, there is an increasing focus on transparency and accountability in altmetrics. Researchers and institutions are calling for more transparency in their calculation and interpretation, as well as mechanisms to address potential biases or manipulations.
Finally, there is a trend towards integrating altmetrics with other research evaluation frameworks, such as peer review. This can provide a more comprehensive and balanced view of research impact, combining qualitative and quantitative indicators.
Traditional measures of research impact
Despite all of the above, while altmetrics offers new ways to assess research impact, traditional measures still hold value.
Citation counts and journal impact factors continue to be widely used and recognised indicators of scholarly influence. These metrics provide insights into the influence of research within the academic community and can be important considerations in grant applications or tenure evaluations.
Additionally, traditional metrics have a long-standing history and established methodologies for data collection and analysis.
It is, therefore, important to recognise the limitations of traditional measures and to complement them with altmetrics to gain a more comprehensive view of research impact.
Embracing the future of research impact assessment
Altmetrics offers a powerful way to assess research impact beyond traditional measures. By considering a wider range of indicators, altmetrics provide a more comprehensive and timely view of a study’s influence.
While traditional metrics are still valuable, they have limitations that can be overcome by incorporating altmetrics.
By incorporating altmetrics, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the impact and reach of their work and leverage this knowledge to maximise research impact. As altmetrics continue to evolve, it is important for researchers to adapt their research strategies and embrace the future of research impact assessment.
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