Altmetrics |
Thanks to its online availablility, the flow, dissemination, and interaction of research can now be tracked and analyzed beyond what was traditionally accepted as the signifiers of prestige and impact. Altmetrics are defined as metrics and qualitative data that can be used in addition to traditional impact factors that describe a work's impact. Due to variations of what influences impact and prestige among disciplines, many fields are using altmetrics as another or additional way to demonstrate the impact. Here are a few examples of altmetrics:
Altmetrics have the potential to answer these questions:
Related Guide |
Altmetrics Essentials |
Altmetric (2016). A beginner's guide to altmetrics [YouTube Video]. https://youtu.be/M6XawJ7-880
FAU Libraries (2020). Altmetrics: What they are and how they can be used [YouTube Video]. https://youtu.be/jMeQxbOo0jw
Recommended Readings in the Library |
Altmetrics Platforms & Tools |
Altmetric
The FAU Libraries currently does not subscribe to Altmetric. See its free tools for ways you can find altmetrics on your publications.
Altmetric for Books
Altmetric provides information for the impact of books based on their social media mentions, Wikipedia posts, and inclusion on scholarly platforms. Atlmetric for Books can help with showing evidence of influence, refining a book's marketing and promotion activities, and identifying emerging topics for future development. See its fee-based services through its web page for more information or to use the service.
Altmetric Attention Score
The Attention Score is generated by Altmetric.com. The colorful doughnut is integrated into many publisher sites and other search platforms. In this example for an article that appeared in Nature, Altmetric shows the number of news outlets, blogs, and tweets that mentioned or discussed it.
Plum Analytics (PlumX)
Plum Analytics (Elsevier), like Altmetric.com, tracks altmetrics. Let's start with an article written by a team in the FAU College of Nursing, "Guidance for using mixed methods design in nursing practice research." PlumX metrics are provided in this journal article as it appeared in ScienceDirect journal collection:
The "View Details" link led to a page that gave specifics on the article's mentions, tweets, and other altmetrics: