Document (#37978)

Author
Burrell, Q.L.
Title
Formulae for the h-index : a lack of robustness in Lotkaian informetrics?
Source
Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology. 64(2013) no.7, S.1504-1514
Year
2013
Abstract
In one of the first attempts at providing a mathematical framework for the Hirsch index, Egghe and Rousseau (2006) assumed the standard Lotka model for an author's citation distribution to derive a delightfully simple closed formula for his/her h-index. More recently, the same authors (Egghe & Rousseau, 2012b) have presented a new (implicit) formula based on the so-called shifted Lotka function to allow for the objection that the original model makes no allowance for papers receiving zero citations. Here it is shown, through a small empirical study, that the formulae actually give very similar results whether or not the uncited papers are included. However, and more important, it is found that they both seriously underestimate the true h-index, and we suggest that the reason for this is that this is a context-the citation distribution of an author-in which straightforward Lotkaian informetrics is inappropriate. Indeed, the analysis suggests that even if we restrict attention to the upper tail of the citation distribution, a simple Lotka/Pareto-like model can give misleading results.
Theme
Informetrie
Object
h-index

Similar documents (author)

  1. Burrell, Q.L.: Will this paper ever be cited? (2002) 5.66 
    5.664006 = sum of:
  5.664006 = weight(author_txt:burrell in 4183) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
    5.664006 = fieldWeight in 4183, product of:
      1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
        1.0 = termFreq=1.0
      9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
      0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=4183)
  2. Burrell, Q.L.: Fitting Lotka's law : some cautionary observations on a recent paper by Newby et al. (2003) (2004) 5.66 
    5.664006 = sum of:
  5.664006 = weight(author_txt:burrell in 235) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
    5.664006 = fieldWeight in 235, product of:
      1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
        1.0 = termFreq=1.0
      9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
      0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=235)
  3. Burrell, Q.L.: "Ambiguity" ans scientometric measurement : a dissenting view (2001) 5.66 
    5.664006 = sum of:
  5.664006 = weight(author_txt:burrell in 981) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
    5.664006 = fieldWeight in 981, product of:
      1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
        1.0 = termFreq=1.0
      9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
      0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=981)
  4. Burrell, Q.L.: "Type/Token-Taken" informetrics : Some comments and further examples (2003) 5.66 
    5.664006 = sum of:
  5.664006 = weight(author_txt:burrell in 3116) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
    5.664006 = fieldWeight in 3116, product of:
      1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
        1.0 = termFreq=1.0
      9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
      0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=3116)
  5. Burrell, Q.L.: Measuring similarity of concentration between different informetric distributions : two new approaches (2005) 5.66 
    5.664006 = sum of:
  5.664006 = weight(author_txt:burrell in 4410) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
    5.664006 = fieldWeight in 4410, product of:
      1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
        1.0 = termFreq=1.0
      9.06241 = idf(docFreq=13, maxDocs=44421)
      0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=4410)

Similar documents (content)

  1. Prathap, G.: ¬The zynergy-index and the formula for the h-index (2014) 0.47 
    0.46525264 = sum of:
  0.46525264 = product of:
    1.2923684 = sum of:
      0.116224036 = weight(abstract_txt:misleading in 2207) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.116224036 = score(doc=2207,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.12998237 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.0325654 = boost
            8.175107 = idf(docFreq=33, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.89415234 = fieldWeight in 2207, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            8.175107 = idf(docFreq=33, maxDocs=44421)
            0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=2207)
      0.13370444 = weight(abstract_txt:hirsch in 2207) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.13370444 = score(doc=2207,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.1427089 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.0819342 = boost
            8.565973 = idf(docFreq=22, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.93690336 = fieldWeight in 2207, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            8.565973 = idf(docFreq=22, maxDocs=44421)
            0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=2207)
      0.06386376 = weight(abstract_txt:simple in 2207) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.06386376 = score(doc=2207,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.10986689 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.3425292 = boost
            5.314588 = idf(docFreq=593, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.5812831 = fieldWeight in 2207, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            5.314588 = idf(docFreq=593, maxDocs=44421)
            0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=2207)
      0.040317774 = weight(abstract_txt:model in 2207) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.040317774 = score(doc=2207,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.0925533 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.5091482 = boost
            3.9827821 = idf(docFreq=2249, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.4356168 = fieldWeight in 2207, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            3.9827821 = idf(docFreq=2249, maxDocs=44421)
            0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=2207)
      0.023874793 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 2207) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.023874793 = score(doc=2207,freq=2.0), product of:
          0.06526605 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.7922336 = boost
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.36580724 = fieldWeight in 2207, product of:
            1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
              2.0 = termFreq=2.0
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=2207)
      0.19954857 = weight(abstract_txt:informetrics in 2207) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.19954857 = score(doc=2207,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.23481701 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.9627054 = boost
            7.769642 = idf(docFreq=50, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.8498046 = fieldWeight in 2207, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            7.769642 = idf(docFreq=50, maxDocs=44421)
            0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=2207)
      0.24328893 = weight(abstract_txt:formulae in 2207) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.24328893 = score(doc=2207,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.26798597 = queryWeight, product of:
            2.0967486 = boost
            8.30027 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.90784204 = fieldWeight in 2207, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            8.30027 = idf(docFreq=29, maxDocs=44421)
            0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=2207)
      0.34260598 = weight(abstract_txt:lotkaian in 2207) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.34260598 = score(doc=2207,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.3366876 = queryWeight, product of:
            2.350195 = boost
            9.303573 = idf(docFreq=10, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          1.0175782 = fieldWeight in 2207, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            9.303573 = idf(docFreq=10, maxDocs=44421)
            0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=2207)
      0.12894008 = weight(abstract_txt:index in 2207) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.12894008 = score(doc=2207,freq=2.0), product of:
          0.17550483 = queryWeight, product of:
            2.3996608 = boost
            4.7496953 = idf(docFreq=1044, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.734681 = fieldWeight in 2207, product of:
            1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
              2.0 = termFreq=2.0
            4.7496953 = idf(docFreq=1044, maxDocs=44421)
            0.109375 = fieldNorm(doc=2207)
    0.36 = coord(9/25)
  2. Burrell, Q.L.: Alternative thoughts on uncitedness (2012) 0.24 
    0.23772089 = sum of:
  0.23772089 = product of:
    0.8490032 = sum of:
      0.16243084 = weight(abstract_txt:uncited in 1290) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.16243084 = score(doc=1290,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.18006556 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.21532 = boost
            9.622026 = idf(docFreq=7, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.902065 = fieldWeight in 1290, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            9.622026 = idf(docFreq=7, maxDocs=44421)
            0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=1290)
      0.053231966 = weight(abstract_txt:papers in 1290) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.053231966 = score(doc=1290,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.107839204 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.3300828 = boost
            5.2653174 = idf(docFreq=623, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.4936235 = fieldWeight in 1290, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            5.2653174 = idf(docFreq=623, maxDocs=44421)
            0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=1290)
      0.03455809 = weight(abstract_txt:model in 1290) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.03455809 = score(doc=1290,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.0925533 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.5091482 = boost
            3.9827821 = idf(docFreq=2249, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.37338582 = fieldWeight in 1290, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            3.9827821 = idf(docFreq=2249, maxDocs=44421)
            0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=1290)
      0.028940622 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 1290) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.028940622 = score(doc=1290,freq=4.0), product of:
          0.06526605 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.7922336 = boost
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.44342536 = fieldWeight in 1290, product of:
            2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
              4.0 = termFreq=4.0
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=1290)
      0.06396997 = weight(abstract_txt:citation in 1290) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.06396997 = score(doc=1290,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.13953276 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.8529942 = boost
            4.890223 = idf(docFreq=907, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.45845842 = fieldWeight in 1290, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            4.890223 = idf(docFreq=907, maxDocs=44421)
            0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=1290)
      0.24061085 = weight(abstract_txt:egghe in 1290) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.24061085 = score(doc=1290,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.29480746 = queryWeight, product of:
            2.199174 = boost
            8.705735 = idf(docFreq=19, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.8161627 = fieldWeight in 1290, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            8.705735 = idf(docFreq=19, maxDocs=44421)
            0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=1290)
      0.26526085 = weight(abstract_txt:rousseau in 1290) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.26526085 = score(doc=1290,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.3146133 = queryWeight, product of:
            2.271846 = boost
            8.993418 = idf(docFreq=14, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.8431329 = fieldWeight in 1290, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            8.993418 = idf(docFreq=14, maxDocs=44421)
            0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=1290)
    0.28 = coord(7/25)
  3. Egghe, L.: Relations between the continuous and the discrete Lotka power function (2005) 0.24 
    0.2371161 = sum of:
  0.2371161 = product of:
    1.1855805 = sum of:
      0.0407271 = weight(abstract_txt:model in 4464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.0407271 = score(doc=4464,freq=2.0), product of:
          0.0925533 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.5091482 = boost
            3.9827821 = idf(docFreq=2249, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.4400394 = fieldWeight in 4464, product of:
            1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
              2.0 = termFreq=2.0
            3.9827821 = idf(docFreq=2249, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=4464)
      0.017053425 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 4464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.017053425 = score(doc=4464,freq=2.0), product of:
          0.06526605 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.7922336 = boost
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.2612909 = fieldWeight in 4464, product of:
            1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
              2.0 = termFreq=2.0
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=4464)
      0.2015745 = weight(abstract_txt:informetrics in 4464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.2015745 = score(doc=4464,freq=2.0), product of:
          0.23481701 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.9627054 = boost
            7.769642 = idf(docFreq=50, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.8584323 = fieldWeight in 4464, product of:
            1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
              2.0 = termFreq=2.0
            7.769642 = idf(docFreq=50, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=4464)
      0.24471857 = weight(abstract_txt:lotkaian in 4464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.24471857 = score(doc=4464,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.3366876 = queryWeight, product of:
            2.350195 = boost
            9.303573 = idf(docFreq=10, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.7268416 = fieldWeight in 4464, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            9.303573 = idf(docFreq=10, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=4464)
      0.6815068 = weight(abstract_txt:lotka in 4464) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.6815068 = score(doc=4464,freq=6.0), product of:
          0.4198324 = queryWeight, product of:
            3.2142076 = boost
            8.482592 = idf(docFreq=24, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          1.623283 = fieldWeight in 4464, product of:
            2.4494898 = tf(freq=6.0), with freq of:
              6.0 = termFreq=6.0
            8.482592 = idf(docFreq=24, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=4464)
    0.2 = coord(5/25)
  4. Burrell, Q.L.: Extending Lotkaian informetrics (2008) 0.23 
    0.2334397 = sum of:
  0.2334397 = product of:
    0.9726654 = sum of:
      0.23444872 = weight(abstract_txt:pareto in 3126) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.23444872 = score(doc=3126,freq=3.0), product of:
          0.18006556 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.21532 = boost
            9.622026 = idf(docFreq=7, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          1.3020186 = fieldWeight in 3126, product of:
            1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
              3.0 = termFreq=3.0
            9.622026 = idf(docFreq=7, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3126)
      0.06268147 = weight(abstract_txt:give in 3126) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.06268147 = score(doc=3126,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.13579233 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.4925468 = boost
            5.908454 = idf(docFreq=327, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.46159798 = fieldWeight in 3126, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            5.908454 = idf(docFreq=327, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3126)
      0.017053425 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 3126) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.017053425 = score(doc=3126,freq=2.0), product of:
          0.06526605 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.7922336 = boost
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.2612909 = fieldWeight in 3126, product of:
            1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
              2.0 = termFreq=2.0
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3126)
      0.2015745 = weight(abstract_txt:informetrics in 3126) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.2015745 = score(doc=3126,freq=2.0), product of:
          0.23481701 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.9627054 = boost
            7.769642 = idf(docFreq=50, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.8584323 = fieldWeight in 3126, product of:
            1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
              2.0 = termFreq=2.0
            7.769642 = idf(docFreq=50, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3126)
      0.17868331 = weight(abstract_txt:distribution in 3126) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.17868331 = score(doc=3126,freq=5.0), product of:
          0.18275906 = queryWeight, product of:
            2.1206813 = boost
            5.5966744 = idf(docFreq=447, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.9776988 = fieldWeight in 3126, product of:
            2.236068 = tf(freq=5.0), with freq of:
              5.0 = termFreq=5.0
            5.5966744 = idf(docFreq=447, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3126)
      0.27822396 = weight(abstract_txt:lotka in 3126) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.27822396 = score(doc=3126,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.4198324 = queryWeight, product of:
            3.2142076 = boost
            8.482592 = idf(docFreq=24, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.66270244 = fieldWeight in 3126, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            8.482592 = idf(docFreq=24, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3126)
    0.24 = coord(6/25)
  5. Egghe, L.: ¬A model for the size-frequency function of coauthor pairs (2008) 0.20 
    0.19940625 = sum of:
  0.19940625 = product of:
    0.8308594 = sum of:
      0.08871995 = weight(abstract_txt:papers in 3366) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.08871995 = score(doc=3366,freq=4.0), product of:
          0.107839204 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.3300828 = boost
            5.2653174 = idf(docFreq=623, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.82270586 = fieldWeight in 3366, product of:
            2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
              4.0 = termFreq=4.0
            5.2653174 = idf(docFreq=623, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3366)
      0.045616973 = weight(abstract_txt:simple in 3366) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.045616973 = score(doc=3366,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.10986689 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.3425292 = boost
            5.314588 = idf(docFreq=593, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.4152022 = fieldWeight in 3366, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            5.314588 = idf(docFreq=593, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3366)
      0.028798409 = weight(abstract_txt:model in 3366) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.028798409 = score(doc=3366,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.0925533 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.5091482 = boost
            3.9827821 = idf(docFreq=2249, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.31115484 = fieldWeight in 3366, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            3.9827821 = idf(docFreq=2249, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3366)
      0.0295374 = weight(abstract_txt:that in 3366) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.0295374 = score(doc=3366,freq=6.0), product of:
          0.06526605 = queryWeight, product of:
            1.7922336 = boost
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.45256913 = fieldWeight in 3366, product of:
            2.4494898 = tf(freq=6.0), with freq of:
              6.0 = termFreq=6.0
            2.3649352 = idf(docFreq=11344, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3366)
      0.24471857 = weight(abstract_txt:lotkaian in 3366) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.24471857 = score(doc=3366,freq=1.0), product of:
          0.3366876 = queryWeight, product of:
            2.350195 = boost
            9.303573 = idf(docFreq=10, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.7268416 = fieldWeight in 3366, product of:
            1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
              1.0 = termFreq=1.0
            9.303573 = idf(docFreq=10, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3366)
      0.3934681 = weight(abstract_txt:lotka in 3366) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
        0.3934681 = score(doc=3366,freq=2.0), product of:
          0.4198324 = queryWeight, product of:
            3.2142076 = boost
            8.482592 = idf(docFreq=24, maxDocs=44421)
            0.0153983245 = queryNorm
          0.9372028 = fieldWeight in 3366, product of:
            1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
              2.0 = termFreq=2.0
            8.482592 = idf(docFreq=24, maxDocs=44421)
            0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=3366)
    0.24 = coord(6/25)