Altmetrics
Altmetrics is a way to measure how much attention and impact research or academic work gets beyond traditional citations. Think of it as tracking the "social media buzz" and online discussions about academic papers and research. While old-school methods only count formal citations in other papers, Altmetrics looks at things like social media mentions, news coverage, how often something is downloaded, and when it's bookmarked or shared online. This helps libraries, publishers, and research organizations understand how their work reaches and influences people outside of academia.
Examples in Resumes
Implemented Altmetrics tracking systems for university research department to measure research impact
Analyzed Alternative Metrics data to create monthly impact reports for library stakeholders
Managed Altmetric integration with institutional repository to track research visibility
Typical job title: "Altmetrics Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Altmetrics Specialists
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a strategy to increase research visibility using altmetrics?
Expected Answer: Should discuss comprehensive approach including social media strategy, researcher training, institutional repository optimization, and stakeholder engagement. Should mention ways to identify high-impact channels and measure success.
Q: How do you handle data quality issues in altmetrics reporting?
Expected Answer: Should explain methods for validating data sources, identifying duplicate mentions, handling platform changes, and ensuring consistent reporting across different metrics sources.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What tools do you use to collect and analyze altmetrics data?
Expected Answer: Should mention specific platforms like Altmetric.com, PlumX, or similar tools, and explain how they gather data from different sources and create reports.
Q: How do you explain altmetrics value to researchers who are skeptical?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to explain benefits in practical terms, provide real examples of impact, and show how altmetrics complement traditional metrics.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the main sources of altmetrics data?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list major sources like social media, news outlets, policy documents, and explain basic differences between these sources.
Q: How do altmetrics differ from traditional citation metrics?
Expected Answer: Should explain that altmetrics track broader impact including social media, news, and policy mentions, while traditional metrics only count academic citations.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of research metrics
- Data collection and basic reporting
- Using altmetrics tools
- Social media monitoring
Mid (2-4 years)
- Advanced metrics analysis
- Report creation and visualization
- Stakeholder communication
- Training and support for researchers
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic planning for research impact
- Program development and management
- Advanced data analysis
- Policy development
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of academic research environment
- Lack of experience with metrics tools or platforms
- Poor data analysis skills
- Limited knowledge of scholarly communications landscape
Related Terms
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