Evaluation of Research Outputs at the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Based on the Hirsch Index and m Parameter: A Scientometric Study

One of the most important evaluation methods for scientific outputs of researchers and research centers is to use the Hirsch index )h-index( and m parameter. The main advantages of these indicators are simultaneous evaluation of quantitative and qualitative scientific production. The aim of this study was to determine the research outcomes of the faculty members of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences based on the Hirsch index and m parameter indexed in Google Scholar until end of 2016. Methods: In this scientometric and descriptive study, all faculty members of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences )425 people( were selected with the census method. With a direct view, Google Scholar database and insertions of affiliation for university, the Hirsch index and scientific age of people were extracted and documented in a checklist, and m parameters were calculated. Data analysis was carried out by the SPSS 16 software, using a number of indicators, charts, graphs, and descriptive statistics. Results: Of the total, 209 people )49.2%( had the Hirsch index. The overall mean )SD( of the Hirsch index was 2.71 )3.85( and m parameter was 0.36 )0.44(. The maximum Hirsch index was 17, and was obtained by three members of the biochemistry, biostatistics and epidemiology and public health members. The highest m parameter was 2.16 and was awarded to an academic member of the Psychiatry department. The mean of the Hirsch index and m parameter were 3.31 and 0.42 for males, and 1.76 and 0.25 for females, respectively. For the basic sciences courses Hirsch index and m parameter were 4.97 and 0.57, and for clinical sciences 1.72 and 0.26, respectively. Individuals with PhD degree and professors, respectively had a Hirsch index of 5.01 and 9.3 and m parameter of 0.58 and 0.89, respectively. In terms of scale between the two indexes, rank and position of all four variables did not differ. In general, the department of immunology with mean Hirsch index of 9.25, and department of biostatistics and epidemiology with mean m parameter of 1.14, were top ranked, respectively. The school of health with mean Hirsch index of 7.02 and mean m parameter of 0.87 had the highest rating in both categories. Regarding the two indices of scientometric, ranking and position of other faculties and educational departments were different from each other. Conclusion: The average of Hirsch index and m parameter of research products of the faculty members of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, compared to other universities of medical sciences was fairly good, but not satisfactory compared to international indices in both qualitative and quantitative aspects. Hence, it is recommended for the m parameter to be used with other scientometric indices as scientific evaluation criteria of academic researchers. Received: 11.12.2016 Accepted: 30.01.2017