Ayza KILIC, Rezan KOCAK ULUCAKOY
The Atlantic Journal of Medical Science and Research - 2026;6(2):158-164
Aim: The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the journal-level altmetric attention score (AAS) and bibliometric measures (journal impact factor (JIF) and citation count) in high-ranking rheumatology journals (Q1- first quartile). Materials and Methods: The 15 Q1 rheumatology journals were identified via Web of Science Journal Citation Reports (JCR). For each journal, the 2023 JIF and the 50 articles contributing most to it were analysed. Citation counts (2021-2023) and AAS for these articles were recorded. Data on the journals' X (Twitter) presence (accounts, followers, posts, interactions in 2023) was also collected. Results: Moderate positive correlations were found between the journal's AAS and its JCR citation count, total citation count, and 2023 citation count ( r=0.528, r=0.560, r=0.531 respectively; p<0.001 for all). Conclusion: The significant relationships between altmetrics and traditional bibliometrics, suggest the AAS reflects not just online engagement, but also underlying scientific activity. This highlights digital visibility's role in science, the growing relevance of social media in academia, and the potential of altmetrics as a complementary measure of academic impact.
