Academic social networks metrics: an effective indicator for university performance?

Abstract Social networks have become popular among researchers and scientists. Specialized platforms for offer many metrics indicators which are used to evaluate various scientists assess the strength of their impact. In this article authors perform systematic comparison between main university level ResearchGate (RG) metrics: total RG Score, number publications, affiliated profiles ARWU. A tool acquiring research units a framework calculating alternative ranks was implemented tested. As point reference ranking system Academic Ranking World Universities (ARWU, 2019) used. The web scraping technique acquire data. Data analysis based on Spearman's rho multiple linear regression (MLR). Ten additional were developed compared with benchmark ranking. k-means clustering method identify groups ARWU universities. results show that provided by specialized social can be assessment universities, however, an in-depth evaluation requires more advanced procedure measure areas scholarly activity like research, integration, application, teaching, co-creation. Clustering showed also distance universities measured in values bigger top authorities should encourage use networks, train them how do it, promote not only own achievements, but increase impact recognition respective units. At end some limitations practical recommendations formulated.