A critical view of the h-index: observations based on a practical application, Costas R (Costas, Rodrigo), Bordons M (Bordons, Maria), PROFESIONAL DE LA INFORMACION 16 (5): 427-432 SEP-OCT 2007

[Eugene Garfield]

Email: rodrigo.costas at cindoc.csic.es

Author(s): Costas, R (Costas, Rodrigo); Bordons, M (Bordons, Maria) 

Title: A critical view of the h-index: observations based on a practical 
application 

Source: PROFESIONAL DE LA INFORMACION, 16 (5): 427-432 SEP-OCT 2007 

Language: Spanish 
Document Type: Article

Cited Reference Count: 26 
Times Cited: 0 

Author Keywords: h-index; citation analysis; bibliometric indicators; 
research evaluation
 
Keywords Plus: BIBLIOMETRIC INDICATORS; SCIENCE POLICY; PUBLICATION 

Abstract: The possible use of h-index in the evaluation of individual 
researchers has raised great concern among policy-makers and scientists 
themselves. Research is needed to determine the advantages and limitations 
of this new indicator A study of publications in the Web of Science, 1994-
2004, applied the h-index to researchers working in the natural resources 
area at the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC). One of the 
findings presented is that the h-index detected the most outstanding 
scientists; however scientists who follow a selective publication 
strategy, publishing a relatively low number of documents that are 
frequently cited, could be penalized for this approach in h-index based 
evaluations. The authors emphasize the need to avoid the specific 
limitations of each indicator by combining indicators in the evaluation 
process. 

Addresses: CSIC, Cindoc, Madrid 28002, Spain 
Reprint Address: Costas, R, CSIC, Cindoc, Joaquin Costa 22, Madrid 28002, 
Spain. 

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Publisher: EPI 
Publisher Address: APARTADO 32 280, BARCELONA, 08080, SPAIN 
ISSN: 1386-6710 

Subject Category: Information Science & Library Science