Evaluating Research Impact Using Altmetrics

Research administrators may use altmetrics to:

• Showcase the achievements of the institution to other stakeholders such as students, collaborators, new employees and other international peers.
• Support researchers in applying for funding awards by effectively demonstrating the potential reach in influence of their research.
• Benchmark the achievements of departments and/or research units within the institution.
• Identify potential collaborators at other institutions with whom to partner with on grant applications and other projects.

Media relations staff may use altmetrics to:

• Highlight research produced by the institution that has achieved public engagement and discussion, for example, interaction with a blog post about a major research study or award.
• Determine whether press campaigns about my institution’s research outputs have been successful and reached the intended audience.
• Identify popular and potentially topical papers or research focus' to cover. 

Adapted from: Outputs of the NISO Alternative Assessment Metrics Project. A Recommended Practice of the National Information Standards Organization, NISO RP-25-2016.