Article-Level metrics

Executive Summary
Article-Level Metrics (ALMs) are being discussed, shared, and used. ALMs can be employed in conjunction with existing metrics, which have traditionally focused on the long-term  impact  of  a  collection  of articles (i.e., a journal) based on the number of citations generated. This primer is designed to give campus leaders and other interested parties an overview of what ALMs are, why they matter, how they complement established utilities, and how they can be used in the tenure and promotion process. Among this resource’s key takeaways are the following:

http://www.sparc.arl.org/sites/default/files/sparc-alm-primer.pdf

Article from

Serials Review Volume 39, Issue 1, 2013 Altmetrics: Rethinking the Way We Measure

Abstract

Altmetrics is the focus for this edition of “Balance Point.” The column editor invited Finbar Galligan who has gained considerable knowledge of altmetrics to co-author the column. Altmetrics, their relationship to traditional metrics, their importance, uses, potential impacts, and possible future directions are examined. The authors conclude that altmetrics have an important future role to play and that they offer the potential to revolutionize the analysis of the value and impact of scholarly work.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00987913.2013.10765486#.U6ywDfmSytY

Journal data sharing – model framework

A model framework from the Journal Research Data (JoRD) Project makes 21 recommendations for journal publishers to help increase the availability of supporting data.

In the first instance the framework would require journals to both establish and publish data sharing policies. These policies should clearly state what data is to be deposited and where, and whether it should be linked to the journal article. It acknowledges that guidance must be given for the selection of data from large data sets (where the entire set is not relevant to an article). It would require a statement of the reviewing status of data (i.e. that the data will or will not be reviewed) and whether an embargo on making the data available is acceptable.

It also provides guidance on data citation style (see the Data citation project above).

The framework has emerged from the (now completed) Journal Research Data (JoRD) Project which was undertaken at the Centre for Research Communications(CRC) at the University of Nottingham, funded by JISC. The project is now closed, but its outcomes and this model framework is reviewed in Research Data Sharing: Developing a Stakeholder-Driven Model for Journal Policies (preprint available).

New guide released : Depositing shareable survey data

Those who own and manage large-scale surveys now have a compact and detailed guide to help them make their data more widely used by researchers.

The guide 'Depositing shareable survey data' was developed by a specialist team at the UK Data Service with extensive input from UK government departments, academic survey owners and survey producers.

The 16-page handbook takes the reader through the full data journey, from fieldwork planning to eventual user access. Correspondingly, all content is organised into five stages of the journey: Plan, Prepare, Negotiate, Deposit and Ingest. While the guide was specifically developed to support new depositors of large-scale surveys, the principles apply to a wide range of significant deposits.

The guide can feature as a useful check for owners and producers; it also suggests wording for commissioning tenders and briefs on considering any data sharing requirements. The aim is to encourage commissioning departments to include a standard paragraph requiring archiving with the UK Data Service in a timely manner and pointing to existing protocols for doing this.

"This handy guide encompasses all relevant guidance we provide on depositing survey data – written and verbal - in a nutshell", says Louise Corti, who heads the UK Data Service Collections Development and Producer Support team. "I expect the guide will find a place pinned to the notice board of every survey commissioner and manager."

The guide is available free from the UK Data Service website at the link below.  Hard copies also available!

http://ukdataservice.ac.uk/media/440320/depositsurvey.pdf