Altmetrics in the wild: Using social media to explore scholarly impact (1203.4745v1)

Abstract: In growing numbers, scholars are integrating social media tools like blogs, Twitter, and Mendeley into their professional communications. The online, public nature of these tools exposes and reifies scholarly processes once hidden and ephemeral. Metrics based on this activities could inform broader, faster measures of impact, complementing traditional citation metrics. This study explores the properties of these social media-based metrics or "altmetrics", sampling 24,331 articles published by the Public Library of Science. We find that that different indicators vary greatly in activity. Around 5% of sampled articles are cited in Wikipedia, while close to 80% have been included in at least one Mendeley library. There is, however, an encouraging diversity; a quarter of articles have nonzero data from five or more different sources. Correlation and factor analysis suggest citation and altmetrics indicators track related but distinct impacts, with neither able to describe the complete picture of scholarly use alone. There are moderate correlations between Mendeley and Web of Science citation, but many altmetric indicators seem to measure impact mostly orthogonal to citation. Articles cluster in ways that suggest five different impact "flavors", capturing impacts of different types on different audiences; for instance, some articles may be heavily read and saved by scholars but seldom cited. Together, these findings encourage more research into altmetrics as complements to traditional citation measures.

An Exploration of the Non-traditional Research Paper Format on arXiv

The paper, identified by the reference number (Priem et al., 2012 )v1 on arXiv, presents a unique scenario, diverging from traditional expectations of what a research paper typically comprises. Specifically, the absence of a conventional downloadable PDF, normally a haLLMark of structured academic dissemination, challenges standard methods of engaging with research findings and suggests the presence of alternative methods or intentions in research presentation.

Overview of the Paper Format and Accessibility

This entry, devoid of the typical PDF file, emphasizes the variability and flexibility inherent in scholarly communications, particularly within repositories like arXiv. The unavailability of a PDF could signify an exploratory or supplementary communication method which remains undefined within this reference. It challenges researchers to ponder on the accessibility and dissemination of academic work, particularly in digital and open-access contexts. Researchers are often reliant on such documents for comprehensive review, replication studies, or critical analysis. The absence calls into question issues of accessibility, archival quality, and the variability of research dissemination practices.

Implications and Potential Directions for Future Research

This situation has multifaceted implications. It suggests a need for a discussion on the evolution of research dissemination practices that can adapt to nontraditional formats without losing efficacy or accessibility. There is also a theoretical implication regarding how digital libraries and repositories address versions and metadata of such entries, calling for improvements or innovations in digital curation practices. The possibility of this format growing in popularity could stimulate advancement in user-interface design in online research platforms, emphasizing user-friendly dissemination of the non-traditional formats.

In a broader theoretical context, it might prompt the creation of novel metrics for assessing the impact and accessibility of such research entries. This might lead to debates about the future definition of a research paper itself, potentially instigating a paradigm shift towards more diverse forms of knowledge representation beyond the traditional written document.

Conclusion

The paper represented by arXiv reference (Priem et al., 2012 )v1 stands as a pertinent reminder of the dynamic nature of academic knowledge dissemination. While the lack of a PDF presents practical challenges, it simultaneously opens a dialogue about the future of research communications in the digital age—a field ripe for further investigation and innovation. As scholarly communication continues to evolve, the academic community must be prepared to adapt to and embrace these changes, thereby promoting broader accessibility and inclusivity in the dissemination of knowledge.