Viva the h-index

TL;DR

This paper defends the h-index by showing that its perceived inconsistency is actually a stable feature, with its focus shifting from article count to citation scores as authors gain experience.

Contribution

The paper clarifies the stability of the h-index and counters claims of its inconsistency by extending previous examples.

Findings

The h-index's focus shifts from article count to citation scores with experience.

The perceived inconsistency of the h-index is actually a stable feature.

The h-index remains a valid indicator despite claims of inconsistency.

Abstract

In their article 'The inconsistency of the h-index' Ludo Waltman and Nees Jan van Neck give three examples to demonstrate the inconsistency of the h-index. As will be explained, a little extension of their examples just illustrate the opposite, a stable feature of the h-index. For starting authors it, the h-index that is, focusses on the number of articles; for experienced authors its focus shifts towards the citation scores. This feature may be liked or not but does not make the h-index an inconsistent and inappropriate indicator, as the authors claim.