Kudos: bringing your publications to life?
| Date | 13 March 2017 |
| Published date | 13 March 2017 |
| Pages | 114-119 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-01-2017-0005 |
| Author | Ann E. Williams |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library & information services |
Kudos: bringing your
publications to life?
Ann E. Williams
Department of Communication, Georgia State University,
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this article is to provide an overview and evaluation of Kudos, a web-based
platform that aims to increase the visibility, reach, and impact of published scholarly works.
Design/methodology/approach –The review chronicles the rise of Kudos and describes the platform’s
functionalities and use capabilities.
Findings –The ndings detail the strengths and limitations of Kudos and point toward avenues for
continued research and development.
Originality/value –This is the rst review to provide a substantive evaluation of Kudos for academics to
consider when adopting, utilizing and researching the platform.
Keywords Scholarly communication, Research impact, Academic networks,
Digital publishing platforms, Public dissemination of research, Web-based library resources
Paper type Viewpoint
The birth of Kudos: a historical overview
Kudos (https://growkudos.com) is a web-based service that aims to increase the visibility,
reach and impact of published scholarly works. The idea for the company was born in 2012
by Melinda Kenneway, Charlie Rapple, and David Sommer as a solution to the many
challenges facing both the producers and consumers of academic research. The founders
argue that Kudos lls a void in academic publishing by addressing the following concerns:
• the difculties for consumers of academic research in navigating the growing wealth
of scholarly literature;
• the burdens on researchers in tracking what happens with their research after it is
published;
• the increasing prevalence of digital impact measures and altmetrics, which are often
misunderstood and underutilized;
• the turn of researchers and academic institutions toward impact measures that assess
and evaluate scholars’ performance;
• the evolution of new platforms for distribution and circulation of research that are
expanding in digital media environments; and
• the pressure publishers are experiencing to compete with one another to provide
authors with services required to meet their needs (van Korlaar, 2014).
Prior to the launch of Kudos, an initial pilot phase of website testing was conducted, which
involved a survey of 3,500 authors from three publishers (AIP Publishing,The Royal Society
of Chemistry and Taylor & Francis). Twenty-one questions about subject disciplines, career
The author would like to thank Sonia Foroudastan for her research assistance.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2398-5348.htm
ILS
118,3/4
114
Received 21 January 2017
Revised 21 January 2017
Accepted 13 February 2017
Informationand Learning Science
Vol.118 No. 3/4, 2017
pp.114-119
©Emerald Publishing Limited
2398-5348
DOI 10.1108/ILS-01-2017-0005
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