What is the difference between impact factor and h-index?

What is the difference between impact factor and h-index?

The impact factor measures the average number of citations to articles published in a journal, while the h-index measures an individual researcher's productivity and citation impact.

Which one is more important for evaluating research quality?

It depends on the context. The impact factor is often used for journals, while the h-index is more relevant for individual researchers.

Can you give examples of how each is calculated?

Sure! The impact factor is calculated by dividing the number of citations in a given year by the number of articles published in the previous two years. The h-index is calculated based on the number of papers with citations that are greater than or equal to the number of papers.

Are there any limitations to using these metrics?

Yes, both metrics have limitations. The impact factor can be influenced by a few highly cited papers, while the h-index may not reflect the quality of less-cited work.