You can primarily check an h-index on academic profiling platforms like Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, which automatically calculate this metric based on a researcher's publications and citations.
The h-index is a widely used metric that quantifies both the productivity and citation impact of a researcher's publications. It represents the number h of papers a researcher has published that have each been cited at least h times.
Checking Your H-Index on Google Scholar
Google Scholar provides a free and accessible way for researchers to track their citations and calculate their h-index. To view your h-index on Google Scholar:
- Create a Google Scholar Profile: You must first sign up for a Google Scholar account. This is a prerequisite for having your publications indexed and metrics calculated.
- Populate Your Profile: Add your published articles and other scholarly works to your profile. Google Scholar automatically groups your publications and tracks their citations.
- Set Profile to Public: For your h-index to be visible and easily retrievable by others, it is crucial that your Google Scholar profile is set to public.
- Locate the H-Index: Once your profile is public and sufficiently populated, your h-index (along with the i10-index) will be clearly displayed on your researcher page. You can find this page by simply searching for your name within Google Scholar.
Example: If your h-index is 15, it means you have 15 publications that have each received at least 15 citations.
Other Key Platforms for H-Index Calculation
While Google Scholar is a popular starting point, other major bibliographic databases also provide h-index calculations. These platforms often require institutional subscriptions for full access but offer comprehensive and curated citation data.
- Scopus: Elsevier's Scopus database offers a robust h-index calculation, along with various other bibliometric indicators. It's known for its extensive coverage of journals, conference proceedings, and books across scientific, technical, medical, and social science fields. You can typically find a researcher's h-index on their author profile page within Scopus.
- Web of Science (WoS): Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science provides its own h-index calculations. It's particularly strong in its coverage of high-impact journals and is often used for evaluating research in natural sciences, social sciences, and arts & humanities. Similar to Scopus, author profiles within WoS display the h-index.
- ORCID: While ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) itself doesn't calculate the h-index directly, it allows researchers to link their profile to other databases like Scopus and Web of Science, where their h-index and other metrics can be viewed. It serves as a persistent digital identifier for researchers.
Comparative Table: H-Index Platforms
| Platform | Accessibility | Primary Coverage | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Scholar | Free, easy to set up profile | Broad, includes various publication types | Includes h-index, i10-index, citation graphs, widely used, public profiles. |
| Scopus | Subscription-based (often institutional) | Extensive, strong in STEM and social sciences | H-index, field-weighted citation impact, author analytics, precise journal data. |
| Web of Science | Subscription-based (often institutional) | Focus on high-impact journals, strong in natural sciences | H-index, Journal Impact Factor, citation reports, research topic analysis. |
Understanding H-Index Variations
It is important to note that your h-index can vary slightly between different platforms. This is primarily because each database indexes a unique set of publications and sources, leading to differing citation counts. For example, Google Scholar often includes a wider range of publication types (e.g., preprints, theses, institutional reports) compared to Scopus or Web of Science, which typically focus on peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings.
- Consistency is Key: When comparing the research impact of individuals or groups, it's best to use h-index values derived from the same platform for a fair and consistent comparison.
- Context Matters: While a valuable metric, the h-index should not be the sole measure of a researcher's impact. Factors such as the researcher's field of study, career stage, the age of their publications, and the nature of their collaborative work can significantly influence their score.
