Guides: Research Impact and Metrics: Responsible Use of Metrics

Responsible Use of Metrics

Keep in mind the following limitations when using indicators for research evaluation:

Indicators only provide a glimpse at impact since no database covers all time periods, publications, and citation data. Results will vary across databases (i.e., the h-index in Web of Science might be different from Google Scholar).
No single indicator can tell us the entire research impact story. All indicators have strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to use multiple, relevant indicators as appropriate.
Not all indicators can be used to compare different subject fields and groups of researchers. Indicators that cannot be used to compare different groups include citation count, h-index, and journal impact factor.
Bibliometric indicators only provide a number, which makes it difficult to determine context and reasons why works were cited. Using altmetrics with bibliometrics can help give a more balanced analysis.

Leiden Manifesto
Proposed 10 principals for the measurement of research performance from experts at academic institutions.
DORA
The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) is a worldwide initiative to promote best practice in the assessment of scholarly research.
The Metric Tide
The Metric Tide is a report of the independent review of the role of metrics in research assessment and management.
Responsible Metrics Blog
This blog advocates for responsible uses of metrics in higher education and research.
THE BIBLIOMAGICIAN
Comment and practical guidance from the bibliometrics community.
The Responsible Use Guides
A series of guides to support the metrics community in using InCites and SciVal.