This academic blog post discusses the emergence of altmetrics as an alternative to traditional journal impact factor. In it, as well as in my subsequent presentation, I (Erin Lee Barsan) address why individuals and organizations within academia are looking for an alternative measure of impact as well as the arguments both for and against this use of altmetrics. I then discuss my brief examination of the impact of one scholar’s research via traditional citation metrics versus via altmetrics in order to better understand the debate. I conclude by asserting that, based on my research, altmetrics are somewhat inappropriately named as they are not so much an alternative form of metrics, but rather an augmentative one.
The three major players in alternative metric data: ImpactStory, Altmetric & Plum Analytics (Image Source: Wellesley College).