The citation triad: An overview of a scientist's publication output based on Ferrers diagrams

Fiorenzo Franceschini and Domenico Maisano

Journal of Informetrics, 2010, vol. 4, issue 4, 503-511

Abstract: In a recent work by Anderson, Hankin, and Killworth (2008), Ferrers diagrams and Durfee squares are used to represent the scientific output of a scientist and construct a new h-based bibliometric indicator, the tapered h-index (hT). In the first part of this paper we examine hT, identifying its main drawbacks and weaknesses: an arbitrary scoring system and an illusory increase in discrimination power compared to h. Subsequently, we propose a new bibliometric tool, the citation triad (CT), that better exploits the information contained in a Ferrers diagram, giving a synthetic overview of a scientist's publication output. The advantages of this new approach are discussed in detail. Argument is supported by several examples based on empirical data.

Keywords: Citations; h-Index; Tapered h-index; Ferrers diagram; Durfee square; Big hit; Sleeping beauty; Publication output (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:infome:v:4:y:2010:i:4:p:503-511

DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2010.05.004

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