This document summarizes the work of the NISO Altmetrics Working Group A, which aims to create specific definitions for terms commonly used in alternative assessment metrics. The working group is comprised of representatives from universities, libraries, and publishing companies. They have held initial meetings to discuss starting with use cases to develop the definitions and prioritizing primary over secondary use cases. The overall goal is to establish shared understanding of terminology to facilitate discussion among stakeholders.

1. Altmetrics WG A:
Definitions & Use Cases
Mike Showalter
Product Manager, Plum Analytics
NISO Altmetrics Project Working Group A Co-chair
4/29/2015 Expanding the Assessment Toolbox

2. Members
• Mike Showalter, Plum Analytics
• Michael Habib, Elsevier
• Nettie Lagace, NISO
• Martin Fenner, PLOS
• Angela Rathmel, University of Kansas Libraries
• Beth Martin, UNC Charlotte
• Brigitte Jörg, Thomson Reuters
• Catherine Jones, Science and Technology
Facilities Council
• Daniel Beucke, University of Goettingen
• Dianne Cmor, Nanyang Technological
University
• Dr. Rodrigo Costas, Centre for Science and
Technology Studies, University of Leiden
• Ginny Pittman, Wolters Kluwer Health
• Jean Liu, Altmetric
• Joshua Lupkin, Tulane University
• Karen Gutzman, Northwestern University
• Kathy Kwan, National Library of Medicine
• Kazuhiro Hayashi, National Institute of
Science and Technology Policy
• Kim Mitchell, SAGE Publications
• Maria Boixadera, Universitat Oberta de
Catalunya
• Marie McVeigh, Independent
• Mark Vargas, St. Cloud State University
• Martha Kyrillidou, Association of Research
Libraries (ARL)
• Rachel Borchardt, American University
Library
• Robin Chin Roemer, University of
Washington
• Sharon Dyas-Correia, University of Toronto
• Sharon Parkinson, Emerald Publishing Group
• Sheila Yeh, Denver University Libraries
• Simon Tanner, Kings College, London
• Tracey DePellegrin, Genetics Society of
America

3. Background
• Phase 1 of NISO Alternative Assessment
Metrics (Altmetrics) Initiative in 2014
– White paper identified key areas of focus
– Prioritized list of 5 broad action items, including
definitions

4. Background cont.
• “Altmetrics” is the most widely used term to
describe alternative assessment metrics.
– Coined by Jason Priem in 2010
– Usually describes metrics that are alternative to
the established citation counts and research
outputs (journal articles)
• Questions raised:
– Distinct types of altmetrics that differ with regard
to how they measure impact?
– How do they apply to diverse research outputs?

5. Overall Goal
• Create specific definitions for the terms
commonly used in alternative assessment
metrics
– Enables different stakeholders to talk about the
same thing
– Lays the groundwork for the other working groups

6. Work to Date
• Members and co-chairs selected
• Groups scheduled created
• Two initial meetings held this month
– Primary outcome was an agreement to start from
use cases and develop the definitions from there
– Prioritize primary from secondary use cases
– Include outside stakeholders as needed
– Currently in research phase

7. Work to Date
• Members and co-chairs selected
• Groups scheduled created
• Two initial meetings held this month
– Primary outcome was an agreement to start from
use cases and develop the definitions from there
– Prioritize primary from secondary use cases
– Include outside stakeholders as needed
– Currently in research phase