1. What is the h-index?

Definition: The h-index is a metric that measures both the productivity and citation impact of a researcher's publications.

Purpose: It provides a single number that attempts to quantify both the scientific output and apparent scientific influence of a scientist.

2. How Does the h-index Work?

The h-index is calculated using the formula:

Where:

• \( h \) — The h-index value
• Citations — The number of citations each paper has received

Explanation: A scientist has index h if h of their N papers have at least h citations each, and the other N − h papers have no more than h citations each.

3. Importance of the h-index

Details: The h-index is widely used in academia to evaluate researchers. It attempts to measure both the scientific productivity and the apparent scientific impact of a scientist.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the citation counts for all papers, separated by commas. The calculator will sort them and determine the h-index.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a good h-index?
A: It varies by field, but generally: 10-12 for associate professors, 15-20 for full professors, and 45+ for leading scientists.

Q2: What are the limitations of the h-index?
A: It doesn't account for co-authorship patterns, field differences, or highly cited papers beyond the h-core.

Q3: How does the h-index compare to other metrics?
A: Unlike total citations, it measures sustained impact rather than being skewed by a few highly cited papers.

Q4: Can the h-index decrease?
A: No, it can only stay the same or increase as citations accumulate.

Q5: How often should I calculate my h-index?
A: Every 6-12 months, as citations take time to accumulate and databases update.