Norris, M; Oppenheim, C. 2010. The h-index: a broad review of a new bibliometric indicator. JOURNAL OF DOCUMENTATION 66 (5): 681-705.

[Eugene Garfield]

Norris, M; Oppenheim, C. 2010. The h-index: a broad review of a new 
bibliometric indicator. JOURNAL OF DOCUMENTATION 66 (5): 681-705.

Author Full Name(s): Norris, Michael; Oppenheim, Charles
Language: English
Document Type: Review

Author Keywords: Information studies; Indexing; Information research
KeyWords Plus: ASSESSMENT EXERCISE RATINGS; SCIENTIFIC-RESEARCH 
OUTPUT; HIRSCH-TYPE INDEXES; WEB-OF-SCIENCE; EGGHES G-INDEX; 
GOOGLE SCHOLAR; CITATION COUNTS; INFORMATION-SCIENCE; SELF-
CITATION; R-INDEX

Abstract: Purpose - This review aims to show, broadly, how the h-index has 
become a subject of widespread debate, how it has spawned many variants 
and diverse applications since first introduced in 2005 and some of the issues in 
its use.
Design/methodology/approach - The review drew on a range of material 
published in 1990 or so sources published since 2005. From these sources, a 
number of themes were identified and discussed ranging from the h-index's 
advantages to which citation database might be selected for its calculation.
Findings - The analysis shows how the h-index has quickly established itself as 
a major subject of interest in the field of bibliometrics. Study of the index 
ranges from its mathematical underpinning to a range of variants perceived to 
address the indexes' shortcomings. The review illustrates how widely the index 
has been applied but also how care must be taken in its application.
Originality/value - The use of bibliometric indicators to measure research 
performance continues, with the h-index as its latest addition. The use of the 
h-index, its variants and many applications to which it has been put are still at 
the exploratory stage. The review shows the breadth and diversity of this 
research and the need to verify the veracity of the h-index by more studies.

Addresses: [Norris, Michael; Oppenheim, Charles] Univ Loughborough, Dept 
Informat Sci, Loughborough, Leics, England
Reprint Address: Oppenheim, C, Univ Loughborough, Dept Informat Sci, 
Loughborough, Leics, England.

E-mail Address: c.oppenheim at lboro.ac.uk
ISSN: 0022-0418
DOI: 10.1108/00220411011066790