Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
2021
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to correlate altmetrics and h5-index using Google Scholar metrics for journals in Library and Information Science, in order to clarify the relative significance of altmetrics in evaluating research impact. This paper adopted the behavioural bibliometrics to analyse data that was collected from Google Scholar metrics for three systematically selected journals in LIS. We obtained altmetrics scores for selected articles from Altmetrics.com. This paper focuses on: (i) the extent in which altmetrics indicators correlate with the journal’s h5-index; (ii) the disproportions amongst altmetrics indicators, and; (iii) the comparison of article altmetrics scores in journals with different h5-index. The results of this paper reveal noteworthy independence of altmetrics from h5-index. Therefore, the journal’s h5-index does not impact or reflect on its article altmetrics. Amongst other altmetrics indicators, Mendeley dominates in all articles altmetrics. The results further confirmed the possibility of articles in journals with low h5-index to attained greater social media attention than articles in journals with high h5-index. This paper adds to the body of knowledge in LIS, informetrics in particular. It is hoped that the results of this study will help create better understanding of altmetrics and prevent its misuse.