metrics - MEasuring The Reliability and perception of Indicators for interactions with sCientific productS

• Applicants: Reiner Diedrichs; Professor Dr. Wolfram Horstmann; Professor Dr. Klaus Tochtermann; Dr. Katrin Weller, since 11/2017
• Term: from 2016 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 314727790

The main objective of this project proposal is to develop a deeper understanding of *metrics, especially in terms of their general significance and their perception amongst stakeholders. To this end, key considerations will include the quality of *metrics underlying data (in terms of validity and reliability), the historical context within which *metrics arose, as well as their ability to adequately assess scientific outputs against the background of disciplinary specificities. The project's findings will benefit *metrics users (e.g., researchers, research funders), information services and libraries, as well as *metrics providers, enabling *metrics informed use and widening our knowledge about their limitations and possibilities for interpretation. A publicly-funded project such as *metrics also guarantees transparency and open access to project results, which is not the norm among commercial providers in this area. Therefore, the project will contribute to the greater openness and transparency of *metrics initiatives, help shape the *metrics debate, forge alliances with commercial *metrics providers and include important target groups such as researchers and information services in *metrics future development. Project aims include the analysis and evaluation of *metrics origins as well as their perception amongst stakeholders. The parallel consideration of these research priorities will enable the drawing of broad conclusions regarding *metrics significance, leading to increased transparency and their better understanding. To achieve this, the project will be based on two broad, complementary methodological approaches. Firstly, Work Package 1 "Status Quo and Explorative User/Usage Studies" will conduct user studies with the help of content platforms including EconStor and SSOAR. This work package will also analyse the current state of affairs regarding social media platforms and *metrics, building a "Social Media Registry", which will underpin both methodological approaches and be created by the the scientific community in cooperation with the project members. The second approach includes the assessment of *metrics technical foundations, to be carried out in Work Package 2 "Technological Analysis for the Collection and Provision of *metrics". This methodological work will be supported by a scientific committee and accompanied by community building and public relations activities, the creation of new links with national and international initiatives (e.g. COAR, NISO) and the establishment of a *metrics information platform (Work Package 3 "Community Building"). The goal here is to take advantage of the project partners excellent networks in order to enable the early dissemination of project results to community members and hence the gathering of stakeholderfeedback.

• DFG Programme: Science Communication, Research Data, eResearch (Scientific Library Services and Information Systems)
• Co-Investigators: Professorin Dr. Isabella Peters; Professor Dr. Christof Wolf
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Markus Strohmaier, until 11/2017