Introduction Altmetrics has been a shelter for all possible alternative indicators corresponding to traditional citation-based indicators, with extra focus on online indicators. Altmetrics has been discussed in variety of contexts, such as open science (Mounce, 2013), institutional depositories (Adie, Francois, & Nixon, 2014), publishing industry (Piwowar, 2013) and scholarly communication reform (Priem, 2013) etc. Despite the wide recognition and adoption of altmetrics, it has been criticized that stakeholders get confused by so many altmetrics indicators and the exact meaning of each indicator is unclear. We need a methodology with which the existing altmetrics indicators and future potential indicators can be incorporated and interpreted in a manifest and logical way. To reach this goal, this study will: (1) firstly, tap into the meaning of impact by demonstrating the multi-faceted nature of it. (2) secondly, based on multiple empirical researches, introduce an impact generation model that describe how impact becomes perceivable and measurable. (3) thirdly, making use of the impact generation model, explore the different role that each altmetrics indicator plays in the impact generation process. Combined with the level of engagement theory, altmetrics indicators are stratified and logically ordered. (4) fourthly, discuss the merits of the stratification based on impact generation model.
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