18 An Altmetrics Study of Researchers at North-West University
-
Siviwe Bangani
Abstract
This chapter reports on a study examining the visibility and social impact of National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers at North-West University (NWU). NWU is a public research university located on three campuses in South Africa. The study examined research output from 2006 to 2017 using two academic social network platforms, ResearchGate (RG) and Mendeley, as sources of data. Researchers with RG and Mendeley profiles were identified and the researchers’ altmetrics associated with each of the two data sources explored. The majority of NWU’s NRF-rated researchers had embraced the two platforms confirming their importance to elite researchers although some of the researchers’ profiles appeared to be inactive. The number of reads and readerships in RG and Mendeley did not correlate well with the NRF rating categories. From the results of the study, the academic platforms could not be relied on to predict researcher rankings that are based on peer review. Enhancing researchers’ visibility and impact in their environments is complex and multi-faceted. Librarians must conduct workshops, training and advocacy campaigns to assist researchers in their endeavours.
Abstract
This chapter reports on a study examining the visibility and social impact of National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers at North-West University (NWU). NWU is a public research university located on three campuses in South Africa. The study examined research output from 2006 to 2017 using two academic social network platforms, ResearchGate (RG) and Mendeley, as sources of data. Researchers with RG and Mendeley profiles were identified and the researchers’ altmetrics associated with each of the two data sources explored. The majority of NWU’s NRF-rated researchers had embraced the two platforms confirming their importance to elite researchers although some of the researchers’ profiles appeared to be inactive. The number of reads and readerships in RG and Mendeley did not correlate well with the NRF rating categories. From the results of the study, the academic platforms could not be relied on to predict researcher rankings that are based on peer review. Enhancing researchers’ visibility and impact in their environments is complex and multi-faceted. Librarians must conduct workshops, training and advocacy campaigns to assist researchers in their endeavours.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- About IFLA IX
- Foreword 1
- Preface 3
- 1 Blockchain Technology for Library Services: Challenges and Opportunities for Libraries from a Nigerian Perspective 7
- 2 Reshaping the Future of Academic Libraries: Insights from South Africa 24
- 3 User Services in Ghanaian Academic Libraries in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic 45
- 4 Redefining Academic Library Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A View from Zimbabwe 64
- 5 Seeking Order in Chaotic Times: The Importance of Evidence in the Fight for Truth 78
- 6 To Wear Gloves or Wash Hands? A Perusal of Archives Preservation Policy in Botswana 91
- 7 National Archives Institutions During Turbulent Times: The Case of COVID-19 104
- 8 The Impact of Library Resources on Block Release Students’ Academic Achievement in Zimbabwe 116
- 9 Exploration of Data Sharing and Information Exchange among Nigerian Library and Information Science Researchers 131
- 10 Ethical Dimensions of Research Information Management: A New Challenge for Information Professionals 150
- 11 Information Services in Academic Libraries in an Era of Information Disorder 166
- 12 The Role of Academic Libraries in a Pandemic Era 181
- 13 Challenges with Open Access Institutional Repositories in Ghana 195
- 14 Advocating for Value-Added Content and Tools in Library Databases and Beyond 211
- 15 Public Library Infrastructure During COVID-19 in Limpopo Province 225
- 16 Knowledge Sharing Among Nurses in Developing Countries During COVID-19 240
- 17 One Journal’s Journey through the Fourth Industrial Revolution 254
- 18 An Altmetrics Study of Researchers at North-West University 274
- 19 Knowledge Management Strategies in Clinical Settings, Southwest Nigeria 297
- 20 From Collections to Connections: Transforming Libraries to Knowledge Centres 320
- 21 Library and Information Science Graduate Skills Needed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Nigerian Perspective 342
- Contributors 361
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- About IFLA IX
- Foreword 1
- Preface 3
- 1 Blockchain Technology for Library Services: Challenges and Opportunities for Libraries from a Nigerian Perspective 7
- 2 Reshaping the Future of Academic Libraries: Insights from South Africa 24
- 3 User Services in Ghanaian Academic Libraries in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic 45
- 4 Redefining Academic Library Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A View from Zimbabwe 64
- 5 Seeking Order in Chaotic Times: The Importance of Evidence in the Fight for Truth 78
- 6 To Wear Gloves or Wash Hands? A Perusal of Archives Preservation Policy in Botswana 91
- 7 National Archives Institutions During Turbulent Times: The Case of COVID-19 104
- 8 The Impact of Library Resources on Block Release Students’ Academic Achievement in Zimbabwe 116
- 9 Exploration of Data Sharing and Information Exchange among Nigerian Library and Information Science Researchers 131
- 10 Ethical Dimensions of Research Information Management: A New Challenge for Information Professionals 150
- 11 Information Services in Academic Libraries in an Era of Information Disorder 166
- 12 The Role of Academic Libraries in a Pandemic Era 181
- 13 Challenges with Open Access Institutional Repositories in Ghana 195
- 14 Advocating for Value-Added Content and Tools in Library Databases and Beyond 211
- 15 Public Library Infrastructure During COVID-19 in Limpopo Province 225
- 16 Knowledge Sharing Among Nurses in Developing Countries During COVID-19 240
- 17 One Journal’s Journey through the Fourth Industrial Revolution 254
- 18 An Altmetrics Study of Researchers at North-West University 274
- 19 Knowledge Management Strategies in Clinical Settings, Southwest Nigeria 297
- 20 From Collections to Connections: Transforming Libraries to Knowledge Centres 320
- 21 Library and Information Science Graduate Skills Needed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Nigerian Perspective 342
- Contributors 361
