Which h-index? An exploration within the Web of Science

Guangyuan Hu (), Lei Wang (), Rong Ni () and Weishu Liu ()
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Guangyuan Hu: Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
Lei Wang: Shanghai National Accounting Institute
Rong Ni: Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
Weishu Liu: Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics

Scientometrics, 2020, vol. 123, issue 3, No 6, 1225-1233

Abstract: Abstract The h-index has attracted wide attention from both scientometricians and science policy makers since it was proposed in 2005. Advocates champion h-index for its simplicity embracing both quantity and quality, while also express concern about its abuse in research evaluation practices and database-dependence attribute. We argue that it is increasingly important to calculate and interpret the h-index precisely along with the rapid evolution of bibliographic databases. In memory of Dr. Judit Bar-Ilan, we join the h-index discussion in Scientometrics by further probing a similar “which h-index” question via comparing different versions of h-index within the Web of Science. In this article we put forward the reasons of different WoS h-indices from two perspectives, which are often neglected by bibliometric studies. We suggest that users should specify the details of data sources of h-index calculation for research promotion and evaluation practices.

Keywords: H-index; Web of Science; Science Citation Index; Research evaluation; Bibliometric analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11192-020-03425-5

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