What is the Hirsch index and how is it calculated?

In the field of scientometrics, there is a significant number of indicators used to assess the scientific activity of researchers. One of the best-known metrics is the Hirsch index (h-index). With its help, it is possible to assess not only a researcher’s productivity, but also the quality of their research. What is the Hirsch index? How should it be calculated correctly? Let us discuss this in today’s article.

What is the Hirsch index?

Hirsch index (h-index) is a quantitative scientometric indicator of a researcher’s scientific activity. It takes into account not only the number of a researcher’s scientific publications, but also their quality, which is expressed in the number of citations of those works.

Jorge Eduardo Hirsch (University of California, San Diego) proposed this indicator in 2005. The Hirsch index is actively used in the Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases and is an effective tool for assessing researchers’ contribution to the development of science.

How is the Hirsch index calculated?

The Hirsch index is fairly easy to calculate. It is defined as the number h for which a researcher has h publications, each of which has been cited at least h times. For example, a researcher’s h-index is equal to 6 if they have 6 papers, each of which has been cited at least 6 times. For a better understanding, let us look at the table below.

In order to calculate your Hirsch index, you first need to arrange your papers in descending order according to the number of citations. Then you need to find the largest number h for which the condition is met that the author has at least h publications, each of which has been cited at least h times. Using the example in the table, we can see that this condition is not met for the 7th paper, because the number of its citations is less than 6. Therefore, the 7th paper is not taken into account when calculating the Hirsch index, and its value is 6.

Why does a researcher need to increase their Hirsch index?

The Hirsch index is one of the main indicators of a researcher’s scientific activity. It reflects a researcher’s ability to conduct high-quality and relevant studies that are valuable to the scientific community. A high value of this indicator offers a number of advantages for a researcher, including the following: 

1. Career advancement

In today’s conditions, the h-index has considerable practical significance for a researcher’s professional and career development. It is quite often taken into account when evaluating applicants for teaching or research positions, or when considering a candidate for the award of an academic degree or title. A high value of the Hirsch index also has a positive effect on a researcher’s reputation in the professional environment. This is important for obtaining leadership roles in projects, participation in expert commissions, and so on. 

2. Improved competitiveness

A researcher with a high Hirsch index will have a significant advantage during a competition for a position at a university or research institution. This will indicate that a candidate with a high h-index is a specialist in their field and is capable of conducting high-quality research. In addition, this also means that the results of the researcher’s studies do not go unnoticed, but are used by other researchers in their work. For employers, this is a signal that they are dealing with a specialist in their field. 

3. Research funding

When requests for research project funding are considered, a candidate with a high Hirsch index will have a significant advantage. This will indicate that the researcher is capable of conducting high-quality studies that meet current trends and international standards. For grant providers, this is also an indicator that the invested funds may be directed towards the research of a scholar who already has a confirmed scientific impact. A high h-index increases the level of trust in the researcher and may become an additional argument in favour of their application among a large number of competitors. 

4. Expansion of scientific contacts

The more active an author’s presence is in the scientific environment, the more attention is drawn from other researchers, editorial boards, or potential project partners. A high Hirsch index increases trust in the researcher and opens up more opportunities for new professional communication. In addition, this may contribute to invitations to participate in international conferences, collective monographs, editorial boards, or inter-university scientific initiatives. Thus, the h-index functions not only as a numerical indicator, but also as a tool for strengthening a researcher’s academic authority.

Want to increase your Hirsch index? Scientific Publications is ready to help. We will conduct an audit of your profile and also ensure an organic and high-quality increase in this indicator. In addition, we will support you at every stage of the work and inform you of any changes. Do you still have questions? Fill in the form below, and our manager will contact you shortly. Together towards new scientific achievements!