COUNTER 5.1 and its main differences from COUNTER 5

Modified on Thu, 30 Jan at 4:06 PM

Links:

How to clone your SUSHI credentials to 5.1 version in CELUS

Friendly Guide to Changes in COUNTER 5.1

Introduction

Starting in 2025, COUNTER Metrics introduced a new version of its standard, COUNTER 5.1. This article summarizes the key differences between COUNTER 5.1 and its predecessor, COUNTER 5, highlighting updates in data types, access types, reporting structures, and authentication methods.

What’s New in COUNTER 5.1

Expanded Data Types

The "Multimedia" category has been refined into more specific types: Audiovisual, Image, Interactive_Resource, Multimedia, and Sound.
New data types were added for printed content: Conference and Reference_Work.

Changes to Access_Type

To better handle free content, Access_Type categories were updated:
- Previously: Controlled, OA_Gold
- Now: Controlled, Open, Free to Read
The meaning of each Access_Type was clarified to reflect the item's status at the moment of access.

Structural Updates in Reports

Section_Type was removed from the Title Report.
Book usage calculations have changed due to a revised method for counting Item_Requests and Item_Investigations for books.

More Precise Definitions

Many definitions were refined for greater clarity. For example, distinctions between Searches Regular, Federated, and Automated were explicitly defined.

SUSHI Renaming & API Updates

SUSHI has been renamed to COUNTER API.
The SUSHI URL remains unchanged as it uses the /r51/ prefix, and providers are advised not to modify it.
SUSHI credentials remain the same, though some providers may introduce API keys to replace IP-based authentication.

Differences Between COUNTER 5 and COUNTER 5.1 Data

The differences between COUNTER 5 and COUNTER 5.1 data should be relatively minor, though the impact will become clearer as more publishers transition to 5.1 reporting.

Observed Differences

Aggregate usage for each month should not change, but shifts between different Data_Types and Access_Types are expected.
Book usage data may exhibit variations due to the modified counting methodology.

As more publishers adopt COUNTER 5.1, further trends and insights will emerge, helping to refine comparisons between COUNTER 5 and COUNTER 5.1 datasets.

By understanding these changes, libraries, publishers, and institutions can better adapt to COUNTER 5.1 and ensure accurate and meaningful usage reporting.