Distinguishing True Influence from Hyperprolificity with Citation Distance

TL;DR

The paper introduces the x-index, a new citation-based metric that accounts for citation distance and author collaboration proximity to better measure true scholarly influence and reduce bias towards hyperprolific authors.

Contribution

It proposes the x-index, a novel metric incorporating citation distance and collaboration proximity, improving influence assessment over traditional citation counts.

Findings

x-index improves ranking of prestigious awardees

Reduces influence of hyperprolific authors

Enhances discrimination among early-career researchers

Abstract

Accurately evaluating scholarly influence is essential for fair academic assessment, yet traditional bibliometric indicators - dominated by publication and citation counts - often favor hyperprolific authors over those with deeper, long-term impact. We propose the x-index, a novel citation-based metric that conceptualizes citation as a process of knowledge diffusion and incorporates citation distance to reflect the structural reach of scholarly work. By weighting citations according to the collaborative proximity between citing and cited authors, the x-index captures both the depth and breadth of influence within evolving academic networks. Empirical analyses show that the x-index significantly improves the rankings of Turing Award recipients while reducing those of hyperprolific authors, better aligning rankings with recognized academic merit. It also demonstrates superior discriminatory power among early-career researchers and reveals stronger sensitivity to institutional research quality. These results suggest that the x-index offers a more equitable and forward-looking alternative to existing metrics, with practical applications in talent identification, funding decisions, and academic recommendation systems.