Factors contributing to altmetrics’ complexity: a problem statement

Abstract

In this paper, we lay out a problem statement for the challenges that altmetrics providers face in making the data they aggregate as transparent as the community desires. We use Altmetric as a case study for exploring altmetrics’ complexity and the related issues that providers face in communicating that complexity to the diverse stakeholders they serve. We then pose questions for consideration by the larger scientometrics community, with an aim towards achieving a consensus solution (or set of solutions).