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Measuring the robustness of the journal h-index with respect to publication and citation values: A Bayesian sensitivity analysis

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Abstract

Braun, Glänzel, and Schubert (2006) recommended using the h-index as an alternative to the journal impact factor (IF) to qualify journals. In this paper, a Bayesian-based sensitivity analysis is performed with the aid of mathematical models to examine the behavior of the journal h-index to changes in the publication/citation counts of journals. Sensitivity of the h-index was most apparent for changes in the number of citations, revealing similar patterns of behavior for almost all models and independently to the field of research. In general, the h-index was found to be robust to changes in citations up to approximately the 25th percentile of the citation distribution, inflating its value afterwards.

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  • Malesios, C., 2016. "Measuring the robustness of the journal h-index with respect to publication and citation values: A Bayesian sensitivity analysis," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 10(3), pages 719-731.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:infome:v:10:y:2016:i:3:p:719-731
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2016.03.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Mingyang Wang & Shijia Jiao & Kah-Hin Chai & Guangsheng Chen, 2019. "Building journal’s long-term impact: using indicators detected from the sustained active articles," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 121(1), pages 261-283, October.

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