COUNTER exists to bring the knowledge community together to agree and adopt the global standard for measuring and reporting content usage through normalised metrics, that is done by developing, maintaining and extending the Code of Practice. 

After downloading COUNTER 5 usage reports from Sage's platforms, you may have questions about COUNTER 5 reporting such as the meaning of a certain metric or the scope of a specific report type. While we're happy to answer to the best of our knowledge, the authority on these questions is the Counter Metrics website.  

Where can I find more information on the COUNTER Release 5 Code of Practice?

Please find some helpful resources from the COUNTER website linked below:

• COUNTER's Code of Practice: On this page you will find links to Release 5 (the current Code), Release 5.1 (required from January 2025), and the Code of Practice for Research Data (the current Code for data repositories). 
• COUNTER's Guide to Metrics: In this guide you will introductions to the three types of metrics in R5.1: usage metrics, search metrics, and access denials, as well as which metrics to use to answer different questions. It covers the difference between Investigations and Requests, whether those are total or unique, and how books and reference works are rolled up to show Title usage. 
• COUNTER's Guide to Reports: This guide outlines the Platform, Database, Title and Item Reports and their associated Standard Views. It highlights how the COUNTER Reports fit together and which to choose for different reporting needs. 
• COUNTER's Friendly Guide to Release 5 for Librarians

Contact Information

For further assistance, please contact onlinesupport@sagepub.co.uk.