Research Metrics

These pages introduce the metrics commonly used in evaluating and assessing research productivity, and the tools used to determine these metrics.

Important notes:

  • These quantitative metrics are only an approximation of research quality; many of them were created in order to assist librarians in evaluating collections or to provide a better understanding of influences and interactions among scholars, not to measure quality of research
  • Qualitative, expert assessment should always accompany a presentation of quantitative metrics
  • Multiple indicators will give a better picture of research quality
  • Not all metrics work for all disciplines
  • Metrics can only be compared within a discipline, because of wide variation among disciplines
Find information on specific metrics:
How to find... Go to...
Citation counts for your research publications Article Metrics
Who is citing you Article Metrics / Author Metrics
Journal impact (JCR, Eigenfactor, Scimago) Journal Metrics
Journal acceptance rates Journal Metrics
Author impact (h-index, i10-index) Author Metrics
Alternative and social media metrics Altmetrics
More information on research metrics Other Resources

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Acknowledgements: This guide has been inspired by relevant guides made by Cornell University Library and Purdue University Libraries. Many thanks to our colleagues who created those guides and allowed us to use the content for our own guide.