Assessing the educational potential of videos on the h-index for improving metrics literacies in academia

Slides for STI 2025 Presentation: Assessing the educational potential of videos on the h-index for improving metrics literacies in academia Abstract: Metrics literacies involve the ability to recognize, interpret, critically assess, and effectively and ethically use scholarly metrics. This study explores the effectiveness of educational video formats in improving metrics literacies, using the h-index as a case study. In a randomized controlled trial at a single institution, participants (n=45 partial, n=19 completed) were assigned to one of two video treatments or a textual control. Results suggest that videos were more effective and more likely to be recommended to others as educational materials. The animated video was valued for its storytelling, human elements, and engaging audio-visual style. Although enjoyment levels were similar across formats including text, participants who watched a video reported greater increases in perceived knowledge than those who read the briefing note. While the small sample limits generalizability, we show that multimedia tools can support more critical and informed use of scholarly metrics, helping to reduce misuse.