Publication Metrics for your CV: H-Index? Journal Impact Factors? What are they? How do I find them?
Matthew Folse, MLIS, Scholarly Communication Librarian & Julie Schiavo, EDD, MLIS, AHIP, Assistant Director, Dental Services
The latest School of Medicine CV template now mandates that faculty members include their personal h-index and the journal impact factor (JIF) for each of their publications. These metrics, while seemingly complex, are readily accessible through resources provided by the Libraries.
H-index is a metric designed to evaluate a researcher's scientific output and impact, considering both the number of publications and the citations they have received. A higher h-index generally signifies greater research influence within a field. It is important to note that a "good" h-index varies significantly across different academic disciplines due to differing publication norms. Furthermore, an individual researcher may have different h-index scores depending on the database used for calculation, as these databases index varying sets of journals. To ensure comprehensive coverage, faculty should claim or create profiles on the Scopus and Web of Science platforms, which are both accessible through the library website. More complete h-indices can often be generated using Google Scholar or ResearchGate, where researchers can build their own bibliographies. Utilizing an ORCID iD can also streamline the aggregation of publications. More information is available on our Resource Guide page about the H-index.
When reporting the h-index in your CV, it is important to include the database used and the date it was calculated. You can list up to three h-indices in your CV.
The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is a widely used metric to assess the significance of a journal within its field. It reflects the frequency with which the average article in a journal has been cited in a specific year. A higher JIF suggests greater visibility and relevance of the journal's publications. However, the JIF has limitations and may not always accurately represent the quality of individual articles, and like the h-index, what constitutes a high JIF is discipline and specialty dependent. For instance, in 2023, JAMA had a significantly higher JIF (63.5) in the "Medicine, General & Internal" category compared to the top-ranked journal in the "Emergency Medicine" category. (Resuscitation with a JIF of 6.5). JIFs are updated annually in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) database, available through the Libraries. JCR also provides journal rankings and quartile scores within specific categories. Faculty can search for JIFs by journal title or browse entire categories. It is important to note that not all journals have a JIF; in such cases, the CiteScore from the Scopus database can be a useful alternative.
For assistance in locating an h-index or Journal Impact Factors, faculty members are encouraged to contact the LSUHealth Libraries at Reference@lschsc.edu or our Scholarly Communication Librarian, Matthew Folse, at mfols3@lsuhsc.edu.