"Altmetrics" is a generic term for the number of online interactions with the article, including mentions in the news, shares on social media, etc. (There is also a company called "Altmetric" that tracks altmetrics.)
Uses
- Track media attention
- Track attention outside the academy
- Get a sense of impact before citations are available
Concerns
- Easy to manipulate through self-promotion
- Positive versus negative attention: some shares are critical, not complimentary
- Prestige of the entity interacting with the article: an institution carries more weight than an individual
- Appeal to the general public: some research is of less interest to non-specialists
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