Author metrics

Author metrics for academic researchers are quantitative measures used to assess the impact and influence of an author's scholarly work.

These metrics include citation counts, h-index, field weighted impact measures, and more, which gauge the frequency and significance with which an author's publications are cited by peers. Such metrics provide insights into an author's research productivity, visibility, and contribution to their field, helping in evaluations for promotions, funding, and collaborations. They also facilitate comparisons between researchers, highlighting leading contributors and emerging talents in various academic disciplines. 

It is crucial for researchers to keep their various research profiles up to date to ensure that their metrics are accurate and reflective of their latest work and achievements; for example, ORCID, Scopus ID and/or Web of Science Researcher ID.  

For further support, please contact your Liaison Librarian. 

  • H-Index

    The h-index is a metric used to measure both the productivity and citation impact of a researcher's publications. It is calculated by finding the highest number ℎ such that the researcher has ℎ papers that have been cited at least ℎ times. For example, an h-index of 10 means the researcher has 10 papers each cited at least 10 times. This metric balances quantity and quality, reflecting a researcher’s sustained influence in their field.  

    Key sources that provide h-index metrics include Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. For instruction on how to find the h-index in these tools, please see the database’s support materials:  

    Example: 

    "As a physicist specializing in condensed matter physics, my h-index of 25 reflects the significant impact and reach of my research within the academic community, underscoring the relevance and influence of my work on topics such as quantum materials and superconductivity. The high citation count of my papers demonstrates that my research findings are widely recognized and utilized by fellow physicists, contributing to advancements in our understanding of material properties at the quantum level." 

  • Citation per publication

    The 'citations per publication' metric measures the average number of citations each of a researcher's publications receives. It is calculated by dividing the total number of citations by the total number of published works.

    This metric provides an indication of the overall impact and influence of a researcher's individual papers, regardless of their total number of publications. Authors can use this metric to highlight the quality and significance of their research, showing that their publications consistently attract attention and are highly valued within the scholarly community. 

    Key sources that provide citations per publication metrics include Scopus/SciVal, Web of Science, Google Scholar. For instruction on how to find this metric in these tools, please see the database’s support materials: 

    • Scopus/SciVal support article: SciVal metric: Citations per publication 

    Note, in Google Scholar you will need to do this calculation manually by dividing the total citations your publications have accrued by the total number of publications listed. 

    Example:  

    "As an agricultural researcher focusing on sustainable farming practices, my citations per publication metric of 15 demonstrates the significant impact of my work in the field. This average indicates that each of my publications is cited 15 times, reflecting the high relevance and influence of my research on crop management and soil health." 

  • FWCI/CNCI

    The Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) or Category Normalized Citation Impact (CNCI) metric measures the impact of a researcher's publications relative to the average citations received in their specific field. An FWCI or CNCI value of 1.0 indicates that the researcher's work is cited at the world average for similar publications, while a value greater than 1.0 indicates above-average impact. This metric accounts for differences in citation practices across disciplines, providing a normalized comparison. Researchers can use the FWCI or CNCI to demonstrate the high impact and influence of their work, showing that their publications receive more citations than the average in their field, thereby underscoring the significance and relevance of their research contributions. 

    The FWCI is used in Scopus/SciVal, while the CNCI is the Web of Science equivalent of this metric. 

    Example: 

    "As a veterinary scientist specializing in infectious diseases, my Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of 1.5 underscores the substantial impact of my research within the field. This metric indicates that my publications receive 1.5 times more citations on average compared to similar works in veterinary sciences, demonstrating the relevance and significance of my investigations into emerging pathogens and disease transmission dynamics." 

  • Countries you are being cited in

    The "countries you are being cited in" metric provides insight into the global reach and impact of a researcher's work by indicating the geographic locations of the citing authors. This metric measures the number of countries from which citations to the researcher's publications originate. Authors can use this metric to demonstrate the worldwide impact of their work, showcasing its significance and relevance beyond their immediate academic community. 

    Key sources that provide citations per publication metrics include Scopus/SciVal, and Web of Science.

    Example: 

    "As a biologist specializing in biodiversity conservation, citations from over 20 countries highlight the global impact of my research. Recognition from regions like the Amazon, African savannas, and Southeast Asia underscores the relevance of my work in informing conservation efforts worldwide and addressing pressing environmental challenges on a global scale." 

  • Organisations citing you

    The "organizations citing you" metric provides insight into the institutional impact and recognition of a researcher's work by indicating the affiliations of the citing authors. This metric measures the number of different organizations or institutions that have cited the researcher's publications. A high number of organizations citing a researcher's work suggests broad recognition and influence across various academic, research, and industry sectors. Academic researchers can use this metric to demonstrate the multidisciplinary relevance and applicability of their work, showcasing its impact beyond the confines of a single field or academic discipline. Additionally, it can highlight collaborations and partnerships with diverse organizations, further enhancing the researcher's profile and demonstrating the real-world impact of their contributions. 

    Key sources that provide citations per publication metrics include Scopus/SciVal, and Web of Science.

    Example: 

    "As a researcher in urban housing, the breadth of organizations citing my work signifies its interdisciplinary impact and real-world relevance. With citations from a diverse range of institutions including urban planning agencies, housing authorities, non-profit organizations, and architectural firms, my research is influencing policy-making, urban development strategies, and architectural design practices." 

  • Benchmarking

    Research metrics serve as tools for benchmarking researchers against their peers, providing quantitative measures to assess productivity, impact, and influence within their respective fields. Benchmarking against peers allows researchers to identify leaders in their field, track their own progress over time, and identify areas for improvement. 

    Key sources including Scopus/SciVal and Web of Science/InCites, enable researchers to benchmark their research against other researchers in their fields.  

    Book a consultation with your Liaison Librarian to look at the best way to benchmark yourself in your field. 

    Example: 

    "As a mechanical engineer specializing in renewable energy systems, I have actively benchmarked my research against averages within the field. With an h-index of 20, surpassing the average h-index for mechanical engineers in Australia, my productivity and citation impact stand out prominently. Furthermore, my citations per publication metric of 25 far exceeds the average citations per publication in mechanical engineering, underscoring the exceptional quality and relevance of my work. Additionally, my field-weighted citation impact of 1.5 demonstrates that my research outputs have a significantly greater impact compared to the world average for mechanical engineering publications. These comparisons against field averages validate my leadership and influence in advancing renewable energy technologies within the Australian mechanical engineering community, driving innovations towards a sustainable future." 

  • ORCID

    An ORCiD, which stands for Open Researcher and Contributor ID, is a unique identifier for researchers and scholars. It serves as a persistent digital identifier that distinguishes individual researchers and links them to their scholarly work. ORCiD provides a way to accurately and reliably connect researchers with their contributions over time and across various platforms, such as publications, datasets, and funding applications. Having an ORCiD helps ensure proper attribution of research output, reduces ambiguity in authorship, and streamlines administrative processes within the scholarly community. 

    Learn more about ORCiDs, their benefits and uses on our ORCiD support page. 

  • Author metrics example statement

    When applying for a grant or a promotion, it is important to select author metrics which accurately and appropriately evidence the impact that your research is having, and to provide context and a narrative around them when writing an impact statement. A well-articulated statement demonstrates the researcher’s standing within their field, and proven track record of success. 

    The Funding templates and resources section on the Researcher Portal contains guidance on what is required in terms of impact statements for the major grant schemes in Australia. 

    The following is an example of how a brief statement could be written using the author metrics outlined on this page:  

    “I have made significant contributions to the fields of agriculture and biological sciences, veterinary science and neuroscience over many years. I have an h-index of 15 in Scopus (excluding self-citations), and 20 in Google Scholar, averaging 9.3 citations per publication (SciVal). I have an overall Field-Weighted Impact of 1.18 (SciVal) which demonstrates that my research is more frequently cited than the global average in the field.” 

  • Alternative metrics

    Alternative metrics (often referred to as altmetrics) are non-traditional measures used to assess the impact of scholarly research outputs. While traditional metrics focus primarily on academic citations, altmetrics take into account a broader range of indicators, such as social media, news and policy mentions. Altmetrics offer a more comprehensive view of the societal and online impact of research, capturing attention and engagement from diverse audiences including scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and the general public. 

    Many alternative metrics can be located through Altmetric Explorer. Some can also be found in PlumX via Scopus.

    Example: 

    I have made significant contributions to the fields of agriculture and biological sciences, veterinary science and neuroscience over many years. I have an h-index of 15 in Scopus (excluding self-citations), and 20 in Google Scholar, averaging 9.3 citations per publication (SciVal). I have an overall Field-Weighted Impact of 1.18 (SciVal) which demonstrates that my research is more frequently cited than the global average in the field. My research has been featured in stories on The Conversation, BBC News and other international news sources, and has been cited in three policy documents including one from the World Health Organisation (Altmetric Explorer).