Long-term Association of Altmetric Attention Scores With Citations in Selected Major Pharmacy Journals

Abstract

Objective. To determine the long-term change in the Altmetric Attention Score (AAS), and its components, as well as the impact of higher AAS on citation count for articles published in major pharmacy journals. Methods. This study evaluated articles from pharmacy journals ranked in the top 10% according to their AAS in the year 2017. Correlation between the AAS and number of citations (through November 2020) was assessed using the Spearman's correlation test. A Kruskal-Wallis 1-way analysis of variance was used to compare the AAS across journals. Results. The median 3-year AAS and citation count per article was 20 (25th, 75th percentile = 15, 28) and 11 (6, 18), respectively. Between November 2018 and November 2020, there was no significant change in the median AAS for the 137 included articles. The only change in the AAS components was an increase in the number of Mendeley readers (22 [13, 34]). The median number of citations per article also increased (8 [4, 14]). We found a significant association between the 3-year AAS and the 3-year number of citations (adjR 2 =0.06). The 3-year number of Mendeley readers was associated with an increase in the 3-year number of citations (adjR 2 =0.36). The mean 3-year AAS was highest with articles published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, while the mean 3-year number of citations was highest for articles published in Pharmacotherapy. Conclusion.Higher AAS scores appear to be associated with the number of citations for articles published in major pharmacy journals within three years of publication.

An analysis of journalism articles achieving high Altmetric attention scores

“…The relationship between the Altmetric scores and citation counts has been investigated in different studies. Some of them have found a significant association between these two variables in some academic fields, such as pharmacy (Dixon & Baker, 2022), and some have not found such a relationship in other fields like dermatology (Nip & Feng, 2022). This study found no significant association between Altmetric score and citation count in the journalism subject area.…”

The Top Ranked 101 Articles in Pediatric Surgical Journals from an Altmetric Perspective

“…Since then, publishers and researchers can keep track of where their scientific work has been shared and discussed among broader audiences by using the AAS 2 . An increasing number of journals have also embraced AAS to promote themselves 3,4 .…”

“…2 An increasing number of journals have also embraced AAS to promote themselves. 3,4 AAS is mainly based on online mentions and weighted composite scores including online platforms such as Twitter/X, Facebook, Reddit, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google þ , Research highlight form, Wikipedia, patent, Policy Source, blogs, and news outlet in increasing emphasis factor (0.25-8). 1,5 The exact way AAS is calculated is unknown, making it impossible for an individual to recalculate the index.…”

The Correlation between Altmetric Attention Score and Traditional Bibliometrics in Top Nursing Journal Articles

“…It would take time to accumulate citation times [10], and diferent journal articles could not be compared directly even in the same research feld [11,12]. Absolute citation times favor older journal articles and have limited utility in comparing journal articles from diferent felds [12,13]. Tus, new metrics have been developed.…”

“…In recent years, with the development of digital technology and the use of online platforms to discuss research, alternative-level metrics (altmetrics) have been introduced in research felds [12][13][14]. Tey were used to measure the journal articles with attention, dissemination, overall infuence, and impacts [14].…”