Altmetrics: a Practical Guide for Librarians, Researchers, and Academics

Abstract

In scholarly and scientific publishing, altmetrics are non-traditional metrics proposed as an alternative to more traditional citation impact metrics, such as impact factor and the h-index. They are not intended to replace traditional bibliometrics but rather to complement them. Altmetrics measure attention on a range of alternative outlets and platforms, such as blogs, news articles and some grey literature. Used in conjunction with traditional bibliometrics they help to tell a more complete research impact story.