The Hirsch Index, or h-index, is one of the key scientometric indicators used to assess the performance of scientists. In the context of scholarship, research and teaching, this indicator has a significant impact on the professional life of scholars. What is the optimal level of h-index and how does it affect the career of a researcher? Let's get to the bottom of this question.
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Why is it necessary to increase the Hirsch index?
H-index is an important indicator that demonstrates the influence of a researcher's scientific activity. This index, usually reflected in author profiles on scientific metrics platforms and in libraries, is calculated based on the number of publications and their citation frequency. It allows assessing the popularity of the scientist and his works in the community.
H-index indicates the significance and relevance of the author's research. High values of the index are a sign of wide recognition of scientific works, which contributes to strengthening the reputation of the researcher and opens new prospects for his professional development.
The desire to increase their h-index motivates scientists to create high-quality publications and actively participate in scientific events, which generally contributes to the progress of science.
What does a high level of Hirsch index provide?
Obtaining funding
Let's imagine a situation when two scientists with similar experience and publication activity apply for a grant. However, one of them has a high level of citation and the other has a low one. The sponsor is likely to choose the former, believing that their research will be of high quality and have a significant impact in the scientific community.
Collaboration with reputable and leading scientists
High citation rates help to cement a researcher at the forefront of science. Leading scientists from around the world will be keen to collaborate with a scientist who demonstrates high scientometric results.
Position as a reviewer or editorial board member
Scientists with high scientometric scores are more likely to be invited to collaborate by prestigious scientific journals that are indexed in international databases. A high h-index is a confirmation of their expertise and influence in the scientific community.
Opportunity to get into scientific and dissertation councils
Only experienced scientists with a high Hirsch index and citation rates get the right to evaluate the research work of other colleagues.
Winning prestigious scientific awards
Every year, Clarivate, the company that manages the Web of Science platform, publishes a ranking of the most cited scientists. The majority of researchers strive to get on this list, because it actually indicates the Nobel level of their work. Such scientists have the opportunity to receive prestigious scientific awards and participate in leading international competitions.
Improving the overall rating of a scientific institution
Co-operation with leading scientists is an important indicator of the influence of scientific institutions and higher education institutions. This favours their entry into international rankings, which in turn can provide additional funding.
Strengths of the h-index
- The h-index is an effective metric for assessing the influence of an author's scientific achievements, as it takes into account both the quantity and quality of publications, comparing them with the number of citations.
- The index corrects for the disparity between publications that have received numerous citations and those that have not yet been cited, making it a more objective measure of scientific productivity.
- Some scientometric resources automatically calculate h-index based on citations, which simplifies the process of evaluating scientific results and saves time for researchers.
A high h-index indicates the significant influence of a researcher, as numerous citations increase his/her prestige and visibility among the scientific community. The Hirsch index is one of the most important scientometric indicators assessing the effectiveness of scientific activity. It can have an impact on career development, research performance, as well as teaching and other aspects of professional careers.
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