Altmetric and Bibliographic Analysis of the Most Popular Articles on Vitreoretinal Surgery Between 2010 and 2020

Purpose Altmetrics is a web-based metrics method that measures the online dissemination of an article and the interactions it receives. We aimed to perform a bibliometric and altmetrics analysis of the 100 most cited articles (T100) on vitreoretinal surgery (VRS) published between 2010 and 2020. Methods A detailed search including terms regarding VRS in the Web of Science database was conducted. Articles were examined for bibliometric data and altmetrics. Results T100 articles had citation numbers ranging from 55 to 368 and altmetrics score (AS) values ranging from 0 to 125, and there was no statistically significant correlation between them. AS was weakly correlated with publication year. A statistically weak negative correlation was also found between AS and percent of citable open access, number of years since publication (NYsP), and average citations per year (ACpY). Conclusion AS values of articles on VRS were found to be low. Apparently, this was because the issue was of a highly specific and technical nature. However, the existence of articles with a zero AS value despite high citation numbers suggests that journals and authors do not yet attach enough importance to altmetrics. Altmetric analysis is not a reliable indicator for evaluating the scientific value of an article, and it cannot be a substitute for traditional metrics but it can provide perspective on the social impact of articles.

An Analysis of the 50 Most-Cited "Uveitis" Articles Published Between 2010-2020 From a Bibliographic and Altmetric Perspective

Purpose We aimed to evaluate the 50 most-cited articles on uveitis according to their Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) and additional metrics. Methods The Web of Science (WoS) core collection database was used in this study. The article and journal metrics and characteristics were examined. In addition, the effect of article and journal metrics on the AAS was examined with multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). Results The number of citations of the evaluated articles ranged from 670 to 90, and AASs ranged from 633 to 0. According to the MARS model, the importance scores of the predictors were as follows: article influence score (100%), immediacy index (77.74%), number of years since publication (57.79%), times cited in WoS (32.69%). We found that the trend of articles on uveitis was related to the "treatment category", namely, adalimumab. Second, the popular topic was uveitis caused by viruses. Conclusions We found that citation-based metrics and year of publication contributed to AAS. AAS appears to be inadequate in assessing the quality of articles. However, due to the electronic transformation of the publishing industry, it seems inevitable that altmetrics will become an additional supportive metric.

The untapped potential of Instagram to facilitate rheumatology academia

Instagram allows for graphical and visual information exchange. This paper aims to explore the current landscape of rheumatology on Instagram and analyse the accounts available based on their objectives and level of engagement. The search term “#rheumatology” reveals 62 results, leaving 55 after careful exclusion. On grouping into “educational”, “broadcasting”, “support”, and a combination of all three, an analysis is carried out using the total number of posts, follower counts, number of caption characters (last 10 posts), likes per post (last 10 posts), archived stories, reels, IgTV (Instagram Television) videos, hashtags, and links in bio. The analysis reveals that 29 accounts (52.7%) disseminate educational content, 36 (65.4%) are run by organisations, and 22 (40.0%) are of an institute or clinic. Character counts (rho 0.44, p = 0.0006) and videos (likes for ten posts 149 vs. 54, p = 0.006) positively correlate with the number of likes, while hashtag use and post count have no statistical significance with likes. Reels and IgTV videos are infrequently used (18.18%, 3.6%). The rheumatology social media landscape is in its nascency and currently split into educational and broadcasting accounts with a significant overlap between the two. The positive correlation of character counts and videos and the negative correlation of hashtag use and post count with likes lay the case for quality content to improve engagement. Social media editors may ensure quality content for rheumatology education using Instagram.

Key Points • The current landscape of Instagram use in rheumatology is limited and largely orientated towards educative content. • Likes on Instagram are positively correlated with caption character counts and videos. • Using currently underutilised tools like videos, engaging captions, and infographics may enhance the utility of Instagram in rheumatology education.

Rheumatology education in India: a survey-based cross sectional study

This study aimed at understanding the perception and perspectives of rheumatology trainees about specialist training in India. Rheumatology trainees (Doctorate of Medicine, Diplomate of National Board) in Indian universities (2010 onwards) were contacted to complete a validated e-survey consisting of 41 questions to evaluate the current rheumatology training in India. Of 53 respondents (M:F 3.4:1, mean age 37 years ± 12.7), 81.1% trained at government hospitals, and 15.1% trained at private hospitals. During training period, 37.5% respondents were exposed to 6–7 h of didactics/week. They treated nearly 175 patients (175 ± 35.4) per week and reported a reasonable level of independence in management of patients with common rheumatic diseases (RDs) during their training (7.5 ± 0.7 SD). However, nearly one-third of the trainees were not exposed to basic immunology and laboratory techniques. Similarly, placement in the radiology department was not a part of the curriculum for nearly half of the trainees, 80% were not confident to manage paediatric RDs and soft tissue rheumatism. Almost 60% did not feel comfortable in addressing ancillary care including patient counselling as they had not received formal training. Among the participants, 59% were not satisfied by the current system of assessment, 86.8% suggested for multiple time point-based assessment systems and 45.3% preferred objective and subjective assessment in final examinations. Rheumatology training in India offers notable exposure to patients and independence in managing cases. However, there is an unmet need for improvement in training in the field of laboratory, radiology and ancillary care, and to overhaul assessment system by including objective evaluation.

ALTMETRICS AND CITATION METRICS AS COMPLEMENTARY INDICATORS FOR RESEARCH MANAGEMENT

The quality and impact of scholarly articles are traditionally evaluated using metrics that put citation counts at the center. In the era of digitization, advanced online platforms and social media have transformed the dissemination of scientific information results and introduced new metrics for evaluating the influence of scholarly outputs and planning research studies. Alternative metrics (altmetrics) have emerged as tools for immediate measuring of scholarly outputs upon their online publication and dissemination through numerous online platforms, including social media channels. The Altmetrtic Attention Score by Altmetric.com has gained its global importance as an integral indicator for evaluation of constantly changing societal influence of individual articles. To a large extent, this and other social media metrics complement established citation metrics, allowing to visualize and predict implications at early stages of post-publication promotion. This article overviews characterstics of various altmetric tools and their growing roles for planning and evaluating scientific research.

Article-Level Metrics

In the era of digitization and Open Access, article-level metrics are increasingly employed to distinguish influential research works and adjust research management strategies. Tagging individual articles with digital object identifiers allows exposing them to numerous channels of scholarly communication and quantifying related activities. The aim of this article was to overview currently available article-level metrics and highlight their advantages and limitations. Article views and downloads, citations, and social media metrics are increasingly employed by publishers to move away from the dominance and inappropriate use of journal metrics. Quantitative article metrics are complementary to one another and often require qualitative expert evaluations. Expert evaluations may help to avoid manipulations with indiscriminate social media activities that artificially boost altmetrics. Values of article metrics should be interpreted in view of confounders such as patterns of citation and social media activities across countries and academic disciplines.

Social Media for Scholarly Communication in Central Asia and Its Neighbouring Countries

The current digital era has led to a surge in the use of Social Media in academia. Worldwide connectivity has brought to the fore a scarce participation of Central Asia and adjoining regions in scientific discussions. Global perspectives in science may not be recorded due to such communication disparities. An equal representation of all ethnic groups is essential to have a rounded picture of the topic at hand. The extent of use of social media platforms in various regions is determined by social, economic, religious, political, cultural and ethnic factors, which may limit participation. The paper aims to examine the use of social media by academicians in the Central Asian countries, China and Mongolia. It also focusses on the linguistic skills of the Central Asian, Chinese and Mongolian population and their eagerness to be involved in global discussions. Understanding the factors limiting participation from specific regions is the first step in this direction.

Post-publication promotion in rheumatology: a survey focusing on social media

The use of social media platforms (SMPs) in the field of scientific literature is a new and evolving realm. The past few years have seen many novel strategies to promote engagement of readers with articles. The aim of this study was to gauge the acceptance, opinion, and willingness to partake in the creation of online social media educative material among authors. We conducted a validated and anonymized cross-sectional e-survey with purposive sampling among authors of the Indian Journal of Rheumatology journal over a cloud-based platform (SurveyMonkey). Descriptive statistics are used and values expressed as the number of respondents (n) against each answer. Of 408 authors, 102 responded. We found that a large majority (74) supported promotions on SMPs. Visual abstracts (81) were the most preferred means for promotion. A reasonable proportion (54) of the authors held the view that they could make these materials for themselves, with little guidance. However, currently only a few (47) were doing so. Awareness on social media editors in rheumatology was dismal (4). Citations were the preferred metric of article visibility (95), followed by altmetrics (21). These findings suggest that authors support article promotions on SMPs, although most do not promote their articles. Graphical abstracts are the preferred means of promotions. Further, the opinion on logistics is divided, calling for larger studies to understand the factors that need to be addressed to bridge the gap.