Altmetric attention analysis of Ayurveda and COVID-19 scholarly publications: A comprehensive review of top 50 high-attention publications

Abstract

Abstract The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an extensive publication of research papers. To assess the visibility and impact of these publications, it is crucial to consider alternative metrics beyond traditional citations. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian holistic system of medicine, has garnered attention as a potentially complementary approach to address various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzes the top 50 Ayurveda-related publications associated with COVID-19, analyzing their Altmetric Attention Scores (AAS). The publications were sourced from a scholarly research database and examined for publication trends, geographical distribution, organizational affiliations, and research methodologies. The results indicate that the publications were spread across multiple journals and countries, with India contributing the most publications. The research encompassed various topics and methodologies, including clinical trials, molecular docking studies, and narrative reviews. Interestingly, the analysis revealed that publications with high AAS often had relatively low citation counts. This suggests the importance of alternative metrics, such as AAS, in capturing research’s broader attention and impact beyond academia. The study underscores the need to consider these alternative metrics to assess research’s societal and online impact in today’s digital landscape. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the intersection between Ayurveda research and COVID-19, highlighting the attention and engagement generated by these publications on social media platforms and online sources.