Metrics without merits

Scholarly metrics and rewards are both part of the Open Science agenda, and next generation and open metrics are perceived as necessary for supporting transparency in research: E.g. the EC Expert Group on Altmetrics conclude that ‘next generation metrics should be underpinned by an open, transparent and liked data infrastructure’, and similarly LIBER has formed an Innovative Metrics Working Group to discuss the role and actions of libraries in this respect. In the context of Open Science metrics are often addressed as being related to rewarding a particular Open scholarly practise based on sophisticated evaluation and new metrics. However, experience shows that great care needs to be taken in order for new metrics not to introduce unwanted and unethical behaviour or to infringe freedom of research. To illustrate the potential danger of metrics actually working against the ideals of Open Science, I present the results of recent studies into the gaming incentives of metrics, and discuss possible pitfalls faced by libraries venturing into the business of developing and supplying metrics to research institutions.