Abstract

In 2012 there were many proposals for new indicators associated with social web tools. These indicators have been termed as altmetrics (or alternative metrics) and are presented as an alternative to the evaluation of scientific activity. In this paper some possible limitations of the new indicators are presented. More specifically these shortcomings are: 1) a large number of information sources and indicators that make it difficult to establish their classification and relevance; 2) some indicators that have no statistical validity because they generate poor results; 3) the difficulty of determining the meaning of the new metrics –what are we assessing, scientific or social impact?; and 4) the evanescent and ephemeral nature of these new sources and indicators.