H-Index Explained: What It Means and Why It Matters
What is H-Index?
The h-index (Hirsch index) measures both productivity and citation impact. A journal with h-index = 50 has published at least 50 papers that have each been cited at least 50 times.
How to Read H-Index Values
- H-index > 300: Top-tier journals
- H-index 100-300: Very high-impact journals
- H-index 50-100: Strong, well-established journals
- H-index < 50: Newer or more specialized journals
H-Index vs SJR
H-index measures cumulative impact over the journal's entire history. SJR measures recent impact (3-year window).
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