Research and Scholarly Impact

alternative metrics = altmetrics

Altmetrics (short for alternative metrics) are a way to measure impact and reach of scholarly research beyond traditional academic citations. They measure how research is shared and talked about online. Unlike traditional citation counts, altmetrics look at things like news stories, blog posts, social media, Wikipedia, and policy documents. They help show the broader impact and visibility of scholarly work—both inside and outside of academic circles.

See two examples of alternative metrics are captured for selected journal articles using (1) a donut from the Altmetric database and 2) a Plum print from the PlumX Metrics database.

Watch this 3 minute beginner's guide to altmetrics.

• Traditional metrics (like citation counts) take time to accumulate.
• Altmetrics offer real-time insights into how research is being received.
• They reflect broader engagement—including public interest, media coverage, and social media buzz.

• Social media mentions (Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• News articles
• Blog posts
• Policy documents
• Wikipedia references
• Online reference managers (like Mendeley)
• Downloads and views

• Showcases the public engagement with research.
• Helps researchers understand who is reading and sharing their work.
• Supports grant applications and tenure reviews with evidence of impact.