Hirsch Index: How it helps evaluate the scientific activity of researchers

In the modern scientific environment, objective assessment of researchers' achievements plays an important role. One of the most popular and widely used tools for analysing scientific productivity is the Hirsch index (h-index). This index has become an important criterion for assessing the contribution of scientists to the development of science. In this article, we will look at what the Hirsch index is, how to calculate it, and why it is so important for building a successful scientific career.

What is the Hirsch Index?

The Hirsch index – is a quantitative indicator that reflects the scientific productivity of a researcher, taking into account both the number of his publications and their citations. In other words, h-index allows us to assess not only how many papers a researcher has published, but also how much these papers are in demand and influential in the scientific community.

For example, if a researcher has an h-index of 10, it means that he or she has 10 articles, each of which has been cited at least 10 times. Thus, the Hirsch index combines two important aspects: productivity and impact.

How is the Hirsch index calculated?

Calculating the Hirsch index is quite simple and transparent. For this purpose, it is necessary to perform several steps:

1. Compiling a list of publications. The scientist should determine the total number of his scientific papers.
2. Determination of citations. For each publication, you need to find out how many times it has been cited in other scientific papers. This can be done using scientometric databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, or Google Scholar.
3. Publication sorting. Works are sorted in descending order of the number of citations (from most cited to least cited).
4. Definition of h-index. The Hirsch index is equal to the highest number h at which h publications have at least h citations each.

Calculation example:

Suppose a scientist has 9 publications with this number of citations:

In this case, h-index is 6, because 6 publications have at least 6 citations each. The seventh publication no longer fulfils this condition (5 citations < 7), so the calculation stops.

Advantages of the Hirsch Index

The Hirsch Index has become widespread in the scientific environment due to a number of advantages:

• Simplicity and accessibility. The h-index does not require complex calculations or specialised knowledge. It is enough to have data on publications and their citations.
• Objectivity. Since the index is based on quantitative data, it minimises the influence of subjective factors such as personal preferences or the reputation of a scientist.
• Comprehensive approach. H-index takes into account both the number of publications and their quality (impact through citations), which makes it a more objective assessment tool.
• Resistance to manipulation. It is difficult to falsify citation data, which makes the Hirsch index a reliable indicator.

The role of the Hirsch index in a scientific career

A high h-index can have a significant impact on a scientist's career. Here are some examples of how this index is used in the scientific environment:

• employment and promotion: When considering candidates for academic positions or management positions, the h-index is often used as an objective criterion of scholarly productivity;
• grant acquisition: Foundations and research funding organisations often take the Hirsch index into account when assessing applications;
• participation in conferences and editorial boards: Researchers with high h-index are more likely to be invited as reviewers, speakers or editorial board members of scientific journals;
• international co-operation: A high Hirsch index can attract the attention of international colleagues and open up new opportunities for collaborative research.

The Hirsch Index is a powerful tool for evaluating scientific activity, which helps to objectively assess the researcher's contribution to the development of science. Its simplicity, objectivity, and comprehensive approach make h-index an important criterion for a scientist's career development.

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