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Citations optimal growth path: A tool to analyze sensitivity to citations of h-like indexes

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  • Chen, Meiqian
  • Guo, Zhaoxia
  • Dong, Yucheng
  • Chiclana, Francisco
  • Herrera-Viedma, Enrique

Abstract

The h-index is a citation-based metric with extensive applications, and several variants have been developed to complement it. This study formulates the optimal growth path (OGP) models of selected h-like indexes, that is, the h-index, g-index, A-index, R-index, and e-index, and analyzes their OGP-allocated strategies of citations. It is argued that the OGP is a useful tool for analyzing the sensitivity of these h-like indexes to citations. Through simulation experiments with both real and random data, the sensitivity of the selected h-like indexes to citations is compared. Interestingly, it is found that the h-index performs the worst according to the OGP. Further, it is shown that combining the h-index with the A-index decreases the sensitivity to the citations of the h-index. In summary, this study provides new insights into how to evaluate scientific outputs based on h-like indexes.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Meiqian & Guo, Zhaoxia & Dong, Yucheng & Chiclana, Francisco & Herrera-Viedma, Enrique, 2021. "Citations optimal growth path: A tool to analyze sensitivity to citations of h-like indexes," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 15(4).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:infome:v:15:y:2021:i:4:s1751157721000869
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2021.101215
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    Cited by:

    1. Wei, Shelia X. & Tong, Tong & Rousseau, Ronald & Wang, Wanru & Ye, Fred Y., 2022. "Relations among the h-, g-, ψ-, and p-index and offset-ability," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 16(4).

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