Calculating altmetrics based on the data obtained at users’ accessing library e-catalogs

Abstract

The authors examine the libraries’ independent calculations and analysis of alternative metrics to determine user-defined relevancy of publications. Logfiles collected by web-servers at users’ accessing e-catalogs may be used for such calculations and analysis. The almetrics’ key advantages as compared to traditional bibliometrics and webometrics are: real-time representation; openness and transparency; coverage of wider non-academic audience; coverage of various sources and research findings. The web-server log-files enable to analyze number of user views of bibliographic records in e-catalog, to rate authors, individual publications and topical queries for a time period. In case of links to full texts, the number of pdf. documents loaded by users and n umber of p ages viewed ( when library computer-based system supports full-text document scrolling mode) may be defined. The authors also discuss specificity of handling log-files for various analysis types: statistical, content addressable, defining sequential sets, clustering. The functionality and table structure of RNPLST’s software module for advanced bibliometric analysis is described. The further task of the study will be to define trends of user behavior and forecasts for user group behavior when using e-catalog.The article is prepared within the framework of the State Order to Russian National Public Library for Science and Technology “Development and improvement of the system of Open Archive of integrated information and library resources of Russian National Public Library for Science and Technology as modern knowledge management system in digital environment: on the way to Open Science” № 075-01300-20-00 for 2020–2022.