The difference between popularity and prestige: Beyond the h-index and other simple metrics
Hakim Meskine
Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA

Jan. 5, 2012, 1 p.m.


The h-index and Impact Factor have become all-pervasive in physics and chemistry, and their influence is quickly spreading throughout the sciences. Many have pointed to their deficiencies or some of the inappropriate ways in which they are being used. No one, however, doubts their influence. I here delve a bit deeper in how these numbers are really calculated and look at some of the more recent ways of measuring impact in science. I will show how the dominant metrics of today measure popularity and not reputation, and discuss some recent (more rational) metrics that are able to measure either or both. I will conclude by looking into a possible (near?) future when these metrics are used to organize the massive flow of scientific information.



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The difference between popularity and prestige: Beyond the h-index and other simple metrics
Hakim Meskine
Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA

Jan. 5, 2012, 1 p.m.


The h-index and Impact Factor have become all-pervasive in physics and chemistry, and their influence is quickly spreading throughout the sciences. Many have pointed to their deficiencies or some of the inappropriate ways in which they are being used. No one, however, doubts their influence. I here delve a bit deeper in how these numbers are really calculated and look at some of the more recent ways of measuring impact in science. I will show how the dominant metrics of today measure popularity and not reputation, and discuss some recent (more rational) metrics that are able to measure either or both. I will conclude by looking into a possible (near?) future when these metrics are used to organize the massive flow of scientific information.



Share