How do altmetrics work?

What are altmetrics and how do they differ from traditional metrics?

Altmetrics are alternative metrics that measure the impact of research through online activity, like social media shares, mentions in news articles, and downloads. Unlike traditional metrics, which often focus on citation counts, altmetrics provide a broader view of how research is being engaged with.

Can you give me examples of altmetrics?

Sure! Examples of altmetrics include the number of times a paper is shared on Twitter, the number of blog posts that reference it, and the number of times it is saved in reference managers like Mendeley.

How can researchers use altmetrics to their advantage?

Researchers can use altmetrics to showcase the broader impact of their work, engage with the public, and attract funding or collaboration opportunities by demonstrating their research's visibility and relevance.

Are there any tools to track altmetrics?

Yes, there are several tools available, such as Altmetric.com, PlumX, and Impactstory, which help researchers track and analyze their altmetrics.