Product Overview of PlumX
Introduction
PlumX is a sophisticated altmetrics service designed to track and measure the scholarly impact of various types of research output. Developed by Plum Analytics, a subsidiary of Elsevier, PlumX provides a comprehensive and holistic view of how research is interacted with and disseminated online.
What PlumX Does
PlumX gathers and consolidates metrics from a wide range of online sources, including scholarly databases, social media platforms, news outlets, and reference managers. These metrics are collected using Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) and other persistent identifiers such as Handles, allowing for the tracking of 67 different types of digital objects, including articles, books, book chapters, datasets, audio files, images, and more.
Key Features and Functionality
Metric Categories
PlumX Metrics are categorized into five distinct groups to facilitate clear understanding and analysis:
- Citations: Includes traditional citation indexes as well as new citations such as clinical or policy citations.
- Usage: Tracks article downloads, views, and other forms of engagement.
- Captures: Indicates that someone has saved or bookmarked the work, often an early indicator of future citations.
- Mentions: Measures activities such as news articles, blog posts, or policy documents that mention the research.
- Social Media: Monitors tweets, Facebook likes, and other social media interactions related to the research.
Data Visualization
The metrics are visualized through the “Plum Print,” a dynamic data visualization tool that displays the metrics in each category. The Plum Print allows users to quickly understand the distribution of metrics across different categories and provides detailed information upon clicking or hovering over the circles representing each category.
Integration and Accessibility
PlumX can be integrated into various platforms, including Digital Commons institutional repository software, the research information management system Pure, and several Elsevier products such as Cell.com, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. This integration enables users to view, sort, and export metrics directly from these platforms. Additionally, a free PlumX Metrics artifact widget is available for one-off data gathering for digital objects with DOIs.
Real-Time Insights and Discoverability
PlumX provides real-time data, allowing authors and researchers to monitor the visibility and reach of their articles. This enhances the discoverability of research by exposing it to a wider audience and offers actionable insights into how the work is being received and disseminated. This can lead to greater exposure, potential collaborations, and increased citation rates.
Historical and Comprehensive Data
PlumX collects data from historical sources such as EBSCO and CiteULike, as well as from current online activities. This comprehensive approach ensures that researchers have a well-rounded assessment of their work’s impact beyond traditional citation-based metrics.
Benefits
- Timeliness: PlumX Metrics provide early indicators of an article’s performance, often before traditional citations have accrued.
- Holistic View: Offers a broader perspective on research impact by considering multiple types of interactions and engagements.
- Actionable Insights: Helps researchers understand how their work is being used and communicated, and provides fresh perspectives on societal impact.
- Enhanced Discoverability: Increases the visibility of research, making it easier for readers to identify relevant and impactful studies.
In summary, PlumX is a powerful tool for tracking and analyzing the scholarly impact of research output, providing a comprehensive, timely, and actionable set of metrics that go beyond traditional citation-based measures.