Research Metrics is the term given to a variety of statistics that measure usage of research publications, the term bibliometrics may also be used.
Metrics can be used collectively to help indicate how widely a publication is being read, cited, borrowed and/or mentioned in the academic and public sphere.
Although metrics offer a wealth of information about how research is being received, care should be taken when interpreting the data and it is recommended that both qualitative and quantitative measures are used in any assessment of research. It is important to note that research metrics are not impact (and vice versa) but can inform impact. Impact is much more wide ranging and needs to take into account qualitative data as well. More information about impact can be found on the Impact Intranet site
The University has a Responsible Metrics Statement, based on the recommendations of the Leiden Manifesto for Research Metrics, which is a guide to responsible research assessment using metrics. More information can be found on the Responsible Use of Metrics Intranet site. In March 2022 the University signed the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) an objective of the University’s Innovation Research Strategy 2020 – 2026. The principles of DORA align with the University’s policies on Publication and Open Access and Research Data Management.
The University has access to SciVal which uses aggregated Scopus data to provide statistical analysis about the research at both Derby and at other institutions. This analysis can be at an author, a group or an institutional level. You can access SciVal here and you just need to click on ‘Check Access’. On the next window type in ‘University of Derby’ and choose UoD from the list that appears. You will then be taken to a University log in page where you just need to type in your UoD username and password. For more information about SciVal, please contact Emma Butler. SciVal data was used to compile a bibliometrics dashboard as part of the REF Dashboard. Again, for more information, please contact Emma Butler.
This guide gives information about some of the common journal, author & article metrics that you may have heard about and also an introduction to altmetrics. Please use the menu on the left hand side of the screen to navigate through the guide.
More information is available in the guidance note on bibliometrics which is available below.
The Metrics Toolkit is a free resource which has been developed by an international group of information professionals to help researchers and evaluators of research to understand and use citations, web metrics, and altmetrics responsibly in claims of research impact. The Toolkit provides information about research metrics (both traditional and non-traditional) across disciplines, including how each metric is calculated. There are also examples of how to use metrics in grant applications, CVs, and portfolios.
