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Altmetric analysis of research outputs in a selected faculty of a University in the Western Cape, South Africa
Author(s)
Mothopeng, Ontebetse Patricia
Date Issued
2020
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Abstract
This study investigated how alternative metrics might be used to supplement bibliometrics to
review the research impact of the Department of Tourism and Events Management at Cape
Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). As is the case with other institutions in South
Africa, CPUT’s research output has grown rapidly of late in response to government
incentives.
A case study design applying a quantitative research approach was used in this study. An
altmetric analysis was performed on the research outputs of the identified department for the
years 2005 to 2018. The study also investigated the online visibility and activities of
researchers in the department in six academic social media networks.
Data was extracted from a variety of secondary sources, including academic social media
platforms, the Scopus database, CPUT’s Institutional Repository, the reports of the Centre
for Tourism Research in Africa (CETRA) and CPUT’s annual research reports. To achieve
the research objectives, data was captured manually and plotted into the Excel matrix for
analysis.
The results show that the content usage of research items was highest, with coverage of
91%. This was followed by saved (for later use) research items at 8.6%, and the online
footprint of research items on social media platforms, with a representation of only 0.02%. It
was also discovered that the most popular social media network among the departmental
staff was LinkedIn, although most research outputs were shared on ResearchGate.
The findings also revealed that a researcher who scored the highest altmetric count, and
therefore obtained the highest research impact, was more visible and active on the six social
media platforms investigated.
Researchers and members of the public, who find altmetricis valuable, need to engage
qualified scientometricians to guard against distortion in the use of these new metrics, since
this can lead to doubt especially within the scientific community, about their significance.
review the research impact of the Department of Tourism and Events Management at Cape
Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). As is the case with other institutions in South
Africa, CPUT’s research output has grown rapidly of late in response to government
incentives.
A case study design applying a quantitative research approach was used in this study. An
altmetric analysis was performed on the research outputs of the identified department for the
years 2005 to 2018. The study also investigated the online visibility and activities of
researchers in the department in six academic social media networks.
Data was extracted from a variety of secondary sources, including academic social media
platforms, the Scopus database, CPUT’s Institutional Repository, the reports of the Centre
for Tourism Research in Africa (CETRA) and CPUT’s annual research reports. To achieve
the research objectives, data was captured manually and plotted into the Excel matrix for
analysis.
The results show that the content usage of research items was highest, with coverage of
91%. This was followed by saved (for later use) research items at 8.6%, and the online
footprint of research items on social media platforms, with a representation of only 0.02%. It
was also discovered that the most popular social media network among the departmental
staff was LinkedIn, although most research outputs were shared on ResearchGate.
The findings also revealed that a researcher who scored the highest altmetric count, and
therefore obtained the highest research impact, was more visible and active on the six social
media platforms investigated.
Researchers and members of the public, who find altmetricis valuable, need to engage
qualified scientometricians to guard against distortion in the use of these new metrics, since
this can lead to doubt especially within the scientific community, about their significance.
Additional information
Thesis (MTech (Business Information Systems))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2020
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