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Altmetrics analysis of highly cited academic papers in the field of library and information science

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Abstract

In this study, altmetrics for LIS research papers, and whether OA affects the altmetrics, were analyzed. In addition, by analyzing the differences in the altmetrics in 10 major research areas of LIS, this study identified sub-research topics that are frequently read outside of academia or mentioned on social media. This study sampled a thousand papers highly cited in the WOS, OA status and altmetrics of papers were collected through Unpaywall and PlumX. The collected data was analyzed as follows. Whether the OA affects the usage, capture, mention, and social media attention of the altmetrics was identified through a Mann–Whitney analysis, and was presented visually through a correspondence analysis. And then using factor analysis and correlation analysis, this study understand whether the article cited in an academic paper or bookmarked for reading showed a sensitive reaction to social media as well. Finally to understand the difference in altmetrics sensitivity of 10 LIS sub-subject topics, papers showing a high sensitivity for each of the 6 sources were selected, and a correspondence analysis was conducted on the relationship with the subject topics. The analysis results can be summarized as follows: First, 63% of the papers to be analyzed had a Mendeley bookmark reader, whereas 36%, 17%, 3%, and 4% had views, tweets, blogs, and Wiki references, respectively. Second, views, blogs, and tweets showed greater sensitivity in open-access papers, and the number of Mendeley bookmark readers was the only source of altmetrics that had a significant correlation with citations. Fourth, information technology and knowledge management topics showed a high number of citations and readers, and public libraries and websites appeared as research topics with a significant usage. In addition, academic communication appeared as a topic with high sensitivity to tweets.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Library and Information Science, Incheon National University, (Songdo-dong) 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea

    Jane Cho

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  1. Jane Cho
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Correspondence to Jane Cho.

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Cho, . Altmetrics analysis of highly cited academic papers in the field of library and information science. Scientometrics 126, 7623–7635 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-04084-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-04084-w

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