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International Journal of Public Health

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01-05-2016 | Original Article

If I tweet will you cite? The effect of social media exposure of articles on downloads and citations

Authors: Thomy Tonia, Herman Van Oyen, Anke Berger, Christian Schindler, Nino Künzli

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2016

Abstract

Objectives

We sought to investigate whether exposing scientific papers to social media (SM) has an effect on article downloads and citations.

Methods

We randomized all International Journal of Public Health (IJPH) original articles published between December 2012 and December 2014 to SM exposure (blog post, Twitter and Facebook) or no exposure at three different time points after first online publication.

Results

130 papers (SM exposure = 65, control = 65) were randomized. The number of downloads did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.60) nor did the number of citations (p = 0.88). Adjusting for length of observation and paper’s geographical origin did not change these results. There was no difference in the number of downloads and citations between the SM exposure and control group when we stratified for open access status. The number of downloads and number of citations were significantly correlated in both groups.

Conclusions

SM exposure did not have a significant effect on traditional impact metrics, such as downloads and citations. However, other metrics may measure the added value that social media might offer to a scientific journal, such as wider dissemination.

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Title: If I tweet will you cite? The effect of social media exposure of articles on downloads and citations
Authors: Thomy Tonia
Herman Van Oyen
Anke Berger
Christian Schindler
Nino Künzli
Publication date: 01-05-2016
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0831-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

If I tweet will you cite? The effect of social media exposure of articles on downloads and citations

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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