The use of the h‐index in academic otolaryngology1. (25th July 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Svider, Peter F.; Choudhry, Zaid A.; Choudhry, Osamah J.; Baredes, Soly; Liu, James K.; Eloy, Jean Anderson
• Is Part Of: Laryngoscope. Volume 123:Number 1(2013:Jan.)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2012-07-25
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51005
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.23569
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-852X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="abs1-1" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective/Hypothesis:</title> <p>The <italic>h</italic>‐<italic>index</italic> is an objective and easily calculable measure that can be used to evaluate both the relevance and amount of scientific contributions of an individual author. Our objective was to examine how the <italic>h</italic>‐<italic>index</italic> of academic otolaryngologists relates with academic rank.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-2" sec-type="section"> <title>Study Design:</title> <p>A descriptive and correlational design was used for analysis of academic otolaryngologists' <italic>h</italic>‐<italic>indices</italic> using the Scopus database.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-3" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods:</title> <p> <italic>H</italic>‐<italic>indices</italic> of faculty members from 50 otolaryngology residency programs were calculated using the Scopus database, and data was organized by academic rank. Additionally, an analysis of the <italic>h</italic>‐<italic>indices</italic> of departmental chairpersons among different specialties was performed.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-4" sec-type="section"> <title>Results:</title> <p> <italic>H</italic>‐<italic>index</italic> values of academic otolaryngologists were higher with increased academic rank among the levels of assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. There was no significant difference between the <italic>h</italic>‐<italic>indices</italic> of professors and department chairpersons within otolaryngology. <italic>H</italic>‐<italic>indices</italic> of chairpersons in different academic specialties were compared and were significantly different, suggesting that the use of this metric may not be appropriate for comparing different fields.</p> </sec> <sec id="abs1-5" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>The <italic>h</italic>‐<italic>index</italic> is a reliable tool for quantifying academic productivity within otolaryngology. This measure is easily calculable and may be useful when evaluating decisions regarding advancement within academic otolaryngology departments. Comparison of this metric among faculty members from different fields, however, may not be reliable. Laryngoscope, 2013</p> </sec> </abstract>