The inconsistency of h-index: A mathematical analysis

作者：

Highlights：

• The h index consistency is investigated in synthetic lognormal series of numbers.

• The h and h/N indices are inconsistent using six citation thresholds as benchmarks.

• Total and mean number of citations are better indicators than the h and h/N indices.

摘要

•The h index consistency is investigated in synthetic lognormal series of numbers.•The h and h/N indices are inconsistent using six citation thresholds as benchmarks.•Total and mean number of citations are better indicators than the h and h/N indices.

论文关键词：h index,Research assessment,Citation,Lognormal distribution

论文评审过程：Received 20 February 2020, Revised 28 August 2020, Accepted 19 October 2020, Available online 3 December 2020, Version of Record 3 December 2020.

论文官网地址：https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2020.101106