Statistics
SURFshare is investigating new ways of measuring the use made of publications and data (i.e. the extent to which they are downloaded or called up).
The value of knowledge increases when it is shared and re-used. Traditionally, the impact of a publication has been measured by the number of times it is cited. The options opened up by the Internet have led to new alternatives alongside this traditional method of measuring the impact.
The use of digital material that is openly accessible via repositories and the Internet can be measured by a whole range of measurement tools. By the end of 2009, the Dutch higher education institutions hope to be able to offer services allowing authors and management to see clearly what use is made of the publications in repositories.
SURFshare is also working to develop statistics for the use of research material in the context of Knowledge Exchange.