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Empirical study of the growth dynamics in real career h-index sequences

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  • Wu, Jiang
  • Lozano, Sergi
  • Helbing, Dirk

Abstract

Based on historical citation data from the ISI Web of Science, this paper introduces a methodology to automatically calculate and classify the real career h-index sequences of scientists. Such a classification is based on the convexity–concavity features of the different temporal segments of h-index sequences. Five categories are identified, namely convex, concave, S-shaped, IS-shaped and linear. As a case study, the h-index sequences of several Nobel Prize winners in Medicine, Chemistry and Economics are investigated. Two proposed factors influencing the growth of the h-index, namely the “freshness” of the h-index core and changes in the rank positions of papers near the h-index point are studied. It is found that the h-index core's “freshness” is particularly relevant to the growth of the h-index. Moreover, although in general more publications lead to an increase of the h-index, the key role is played by those papers near the h-index point.

Suggested Citation

  • Wu, Jiang & Lozano, Sergi & Helbing, Dirk, 2011. "Empirical study of the growth dynamics in real career h-index sequences," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 5(4), pages 489-497.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:infome:v:5:y:2011:i:4:p:489-497
    DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2011.02.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ye, Fred Y. & Rousseau, Ronald, 2008. "The power law model and total career h-index sequences," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 2(4), pages 288-297.
    2. Leo Egghe, 2009. "Comparative study of h-index sequences," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 81(2), pages 311-320, November.
    3. Burrell, Quentin L., 2007. "Hirsch's h-index: A stochastic model," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 16-25.
    4. Liu, Yuxian & Rousseau, Ronald, 2008. "Definitions of time series in citation analysis with special attention to the h-index," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 2(3), pages 202-210.
    5. Quentin L. Burrell, 2007. "Hirsch index or Hirsch rate? Some thoughts arising from Liang’s data," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 73(1), pages 19-28, October.
    6. Liming Liang, 2006. "h-index sequence and h-index matrix: Constructions and applications," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 69(1), pages 153-159, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhu, Wanying & Jin, Ching & Ma, Yifang & Xu, Cong, 2023. "Earlier recognition of scientific excellence enhances future achievements and promotes persistence," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 17(2).
    3. Dašić Predrag, 2015. "State and Analysis of Scientific Journals in the Field of “Economic Sciences” for the Period 1995-2014," Economic Themes, Sciendo, vol. 53(4), pages 547-581, December.
    4. Liu, Yu & Yang, Yongliang, 2014. "Empirical study of L-Sequence: The basic h-index sequence for cumulative publications with consideration of the yearly citation performance," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 8(3), pages 478-485.
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    6. Basso, Antonella & di Tollo, Giacomo, 2022. "Prediction of UK research excellence framework assessment by the departmental h-index," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 296(3), pages 1036-1049.

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