Scholarly use of social media and altmetrics: a review of the literature

Abstract: Social media has become integrated into the fabric of the scholarly communication system in fundamental ways: principally through scholarly use of social media platforms and the promotion of new indicators on the basis of interactions with these platforms. Research and scholarship in this area has accelerated since the coining and subsequent advocacy for altmetrics -- that is, research indicators based on social media activity. This review provides an extensive account of the state-of-the art in both scholarly use of social media and altmetrics. The review consists of two main parts: the first examines the use of social media in academia, examining the various functions these platforms have in the scholarly communication process and the factors that affect this use. The second part reviews empirical studies of altmetrics, discussing the various interpretations of altmetrics, data collection and methodological limitations, and differences according to platform. The review ends with a critical discussion of the implications of this transformation in the scholarly communication system.

• The paper provides a comprehensive review of how social media is integrated into scholarly communication and the emergence of altmetrics.
• It employs empirical analysis to reveal platform-specific adoption rates—often above 75%—and examines distinct usage patterns among academics.
• The study shows that altmetrics complement traditional citations by offering broader insights into research impact and public engagement.

Scholarly Use of Social Media and Altmetrics: A Comprehensive Literature Review

The integration of social media into scholarly communication and the emergence of altmetrics have represented significant shifts within academia. The paper by Sugimoto et al. provides an exhaustive account of current research regarding the use of social media in scholarly contexts and the metrics derived from such activities. It effectively divides its analysis into two sections: the adoption and roles of social media within academic settings and the empirical evaluation and implications of altmetrics.

Social media platforms like Facebook, ResearchGate, and Twitter are being increasingly co-opted by scholars for various scholarly communication activities. Despite initial skepticism regarding their applicability to professional contexts, empirical data indicate their widespread adoption for dissemination, networking, and knowledge sharing. Surveys reflect significant adoption rates—between 75% to 80%—with certain platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn especially prominent among academics. However, the nuances in adoption rates and usage purposes across platforms necessitate a platform-specific exploration, warranting a discussion on the distinct typologies of social media use by researchers and institutions.

Social networking sites serve as venues for researchers to build collaborative networks, disseminate their work, and follow the work of peers—although the distinction between personal and professional use remains. They also function as mediums for strategic impression management, allowing researchers to craft their professional identities in digital spaces.

With respect to altmetrics, the paper explores their potential as indicators of research impact beyond traditional citation metrics. Altmetrics arise from the digital traces across platforms such as Twitter, Mendeley, and F1000Prime, challenging traditional bibliometrics by encompassing a wider scope of scholarly influence, including public engagement. However, they also face criticisms concerning their reliability and theoretical grounding. The paper meticulously analyzes the breadth of literature addressing data collection issues, methodological challenges, and the heterogeneous nature of social media metrics.

The quantitative findings reveal nuanced relationships between altmetrics and traditional citations. For instance, Mendeley readership indicators exhibit moderate correlation with citations, while Twitter and blog citations tend to reflect public interest more than academic impact. Each platform demonstrates unique coverage characteristics, suggesting altmetrics do not provide a replacement but rather a complementary perspective to bibliometrics.

The implications of these findings are multifaceted. On an academic level, they may prompt a reevaluation of impact measurement standards and stimulate discussions about open science practices. On a practical level, they can inform policies related to research dissemination strategies, especially concerning reaching wider audiences beyond academia. As social media remains dynamically involved in scholarly ecosystems, the potential evolution and integration of these metrics stand to reshape not only how impact is measured but how academic capital is accrued and recognized.

Furthermore, future developments may focus on further refining these metrics, addressing validity concerns, and assessing their role within broader research evaluation frameworks. The paper highlights the need for ongoing dialogue and research into the critical and contextual applications of altmetrics, providing a holistic review that underlines the complexities and opportunities that social media and alternative metrics present for the scholarly community.