Axiomatics for the Hirsch research output index

Quesada, Antonio (2009): Axiomatics for the Hirsch research output index.

Abstract

The Hirsch index is a number that synthesizes a researcher’s output. It is defined as the maximum number h such that the researcher has h papers with at least h citations each. Two axiomatic characterizations of this index are suggested. One of them provides a simple conceptualization of the Hirsch index: after selecting those outputs deserving index 1, the Hirsch index of any other output x is the minimum value of a two-part decomposition of x.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Hirsch index; publications; citations; research quality; scientific productivity.
• Subjects: C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C4 - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics > C43 - Index Numbers and Aggregation; D - Microeconomics > D8 - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty > D80 - General; A - General Economics and Teaching > A1 - General Economics > A11 - Role of Economics ; Role of Economists ; Market for Economists

References

Hirsch, J. E. (2005): “An index to quantify an individual’s scientific research output”, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 102(46), 16569-16572.

Sidiropoulos, A., Katsaros, D., Manolopoulos, Y. (2007): “Generalized Hirsch h-index for disclosing latent facts in citation networks”, Scientometrics 72(2), 253-280.

Wikipedia (2009): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirsch_index, accessed the 18th of December, 2009.

Woeginger, G. J. (2008a): “An axiomatic characterization of the Hirsch-index”, Mathematical Social Sciences 56(2), 224 -232.

Woeginger, G. J. (2008b): “A symmetry axiom for scientific impact indices”, Journal of Informetrics 2(3), 298-303.