Business Research Librarian
Betty Garrison
she/her/hers
Librarian
Definition
Alternative metrics, or altmetrics, are tools that measure the current use of your publications. These tools provide a more current measure of research impact than citations, which may take months or years after you publish. Altmetrics might measure usage, captures, mentions, discussions, social media, and/or citations. Altmetrics can be viewed under the "Usage Count" drop-down in Web of Science.
Altmetrics Tools
- Bookmarklet from Altmetric
This free tool uses DOIs to search for altmetrics for articles. Use this link to install this tool in your browser. - Impactstory Profiles
"Discover the online impact of your research." Example profile from Impactstory. - PLOS Article Level Metrics (ALM)
The PLOS journals display metrics for all articles. They assess impact before articles accrue citations, incorporate academic and social metrics, and reflect the changing influence of a work over time.
What Can Altmetrics Tell You ?
Here are some ways altmetrics measure the impact of your research:
- how many times has it been downloaded
- number of posts on social media
- how other countries are discussing it
- how the news media is covering it
- how your peers are discussing it
Increase Research Visibility
- Promote Your Research on Social Media:
- Announce and provide a link
- Tag co-authors, publishers, funders and institutions
- Include hashtags
- Include an image or video
- translate research into non-technical jargon
- Write a Blog Post
- Create a Video Abstract
- Share Your E-Print
- Present Your Paper at a Conference
- Speak to Your Librarian, Use Your Networks
- Include Your Article in Your Email Signature
- Update Your Directories