Understanding Research Impact: A Blend of Traditional and Non-Traditional Metrics
In the rapidly evolving landscape of research dissemination, understanding how your work impacts the scientific community and the public is crucial. The study titled "Association of Non-traditional Indicators of Readers’ Engagement With Traditional Dissemination Metrics of COVID-19-Related Research" provides insightful data on how non-traditional metrics can complement traditional citation counts to give a more comprehensive view of research impact.
Key Findings from the Study
The research explored the relationship between traditional metrics, such as citations, and non-traditional metrics, like the Altmetric Attention Score (AAS), across five high-impact medical journals. Here's what they found:
- There was a very weak correlation between citations and AAS for journals like Clinical Infectious Diseases, Lancet Infectious Diseases, and CHEST.
- Moderate correlations were observed for NEJM and JAMA, indicating that these journals have a stronger connection between traditional and non-traditional metrics.
- The correlation between citations and Twitter mentions was similarly weak for most journals, with NEJM and JAMA again showing stronger ties.
Implications for Practitioners
For practitioners and researchers, these findings suggest that relying solely on citation counts to gauge the impact of your work may not be sufficient. Here are some steps you can take to enhance the visibility and impact of your research:
- Engage with Social Media: Utilize platforms like Twitter to share your research findings. Although the correlation with citations is weak, social media can significantly increase the reach of your work.
- Monitor Altmetric Scores: Use tools like Altmetric to track the attention your research is receiving across various platforms. This can provide real-time insights into how your work is being discussed and perceived.
- Collaborate Across Disciplines: Engage with researchers from different fields to broaden the scope and applicability of your research. This can lead to more citations and a higher Altmetric score.
Encouraging Further Research
The study highlights the need for a more inclusive approach to measuring research impact. As a practitioner, you are encouraged to delve deeper into how non-traditional metrics can be leveraged to better understand and enhance the dissemination of your work. Consider exploring the following areas:
- Investigate how different types of media coverage affect the public's perception of your research.
- Analyze the impact of collaborative efforts on both traditional and non-traditional metrics.
- Explore the potential of new digital tools and platforms in increasing research visibility.
By embracing a broader perspective on research impact, you can contribute to a more dynamic and effective dissemination of scientific knowledge.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Association of Non-traditional Indicators of Readers’ Engagement With Traditional Dissemination Metrics of COVID-19-Related Research.
