Analysis of Effects on Scientific Impact Indicators Based on Coevolution of Coauthorship and Citation Networks
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigates the coevolution of coauthorship and citation networks and their influence on scientific metrics such as the h-index and journal impact factors. Using a preferential attachment mechanism, we developed a model that integrated these networks and validated it with data from the American Physical Society (APS). While the correlations between reference counts, paper lifetime, and team sizes with scientific impact metrics are well-known, our findings demonstrate how these relationships vary depending on specific model parameters. For instance, increasing reference counts or reducing paper lifetime significantly boosts both journal impact factors and h-indexes, while expanding team sizes without adding new authors can artificially inflate h-indexes. These results highlight potential vulnerabilities in commonly used metrics and emphasize the value of modeling and simulation for improving bibliometric evaluations.
Source: Information
DOI: 10.3390/info15100597
Author: Haobai Xue
Institution: University Town of Shenzhen
Language: English
Subfield: Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,819
OpenAlex ID: W4402988401