Ep.4 – Rerun: The H-Index: Keeping up with the Joneses

The h-index, or Hirsch index, measures the research impact and productivity of a particular scientist. Since its inception in 2005, it has become a standard way to somewhat objectively quantify an individual’s research impact. In this episode, you will learn what it is, what is expected of this H-index from researchers at different stages of their research careers, and ethical practices in increasing your H-index. We also raise concerns in the un-intended use of H-index for the academic world we are in today. Reference list: Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal (schallert.wygal@gmail.com) References:

1. https://www.journal-publishing.com/blog/good-h-index-required-academic-position/
2. https://phys.org/news/2020-07-albert-einstein-mediocre-h-index-bogus.html
3. http://www.webometrics.info/en/hlargerthan100
4. https://www.aacc.org/cln/articles/2019/september/scientific-impact-and-the-h-index
5. https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/102/46/16569.full.pdf
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-index#Comparing_results_across_fields_and_career_levels
7. https://www.slideshare.net/AnneWilHarzing/citation-metrics-across-disciplines-google-scholar-scopus-and-the-web-of-science

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at info@thisacademiclife.org. You can also find us on webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on facebook group “This Academic Life”. Cast list:

• Prof. Kim Michelle Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research, Graduate Programs, and Natural Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
• Prof. Pania Newel (host) is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

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