OPERAS Metrics offers a database of usage and impact information of published Open Access books. Designed with the nuanced needs of Social Sciences and Humanities in mind, this service consolidates diverse data sources into a single, transparent interface. Metrics is not only displayed for the publisher’s website, but also aggregated with those of other sites where a book is available.
Usage metrics have been widely adopted in Open Access works as an indication of the popularity or acceptance of a particular publication. Inevitably, performance assessment and funding allocation is being based on these statistics. However, while we do not agree with these practices, we acknowledge that metrics collection and reporting is nowadays a fundamental need for any organisations producing and/or hosting digital monographs.
Key features
Comprehensive Data Collection: usage metrics collected from various sources, providing a clear picture of open access book impact.
Centrally-Managed Database: metrics on open access books stored in a central database that can be accessed by anyone.
Open Source and Community-Driven: based on open-source principles, offering an alternative to proprietary usage metrics services and emphasising community involvement.
Transparent Processing: individual metrics comes with explanations of the data source and collection methods.
Designed for SSH Disciplines: tailored to better serve the SSH domain, often underrepresented in metric systems.
Widget: metrics can be visually displayed via any site, facilitating real-time interaction and analysis.
Flexible Hosting Options: option for publishers to host the service themselves, with dedicated support.
This training session provides:
1. Context, service overview & discussion
- Challenges & opportunities for OA books in Research Assessment
- Main features & benefits of OPERAS Metrics
- Accessing OPERAS Metrics database in practice
- Framing OPERAS Metrics in the context of Research Assessment
2. Technical session
Objectives
- Demonstrate the position and challenges of OA books in current research assessment systems
- Understand the value of OPERAS Metrics in measuring usage and impact of OA Books
- Describe how the GraspOS Infrastructure can integrate OA books in Research Assessment
- Learn how to use OPERAS Metrics
Learning Outcomes
- This session will offer the ability to assess the landscape of open access (OA) books within existing research assessment frameworks, identify the importance of metrics for measuring the usage and impact of OA books, and recognise the value of the GraspOS Infrastructure in integrating OA books into research assessment systems. It will also provide practical knowledge and skills for using OPERAS Metrics effectively.
