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Research indices are used to measure the ability of a researcher and quality of research publications for comparison of research contribution made in a given area/subject. Research indices generally use the number of research publications and the number of citations the papers published by an author during a given observation period. There are a number of research indices commonly used to assess the ability and hence the quantity of research along with the quality of a research publication. Research indices are calculated based on either citation values of research publications of a research scholar or the number of research papers published by a research scholar for a given period. Apart from generally used citation indices like H-index, i10-index, G-index, and based on argument on why certain research publications do not attract citations initially for some years, it is found that the best method of identifying the contribution to research is calculating the annual research index for an author by considering the annual research publications. Recently, we have suggested some of the new research indices used for calculating research productivity of individuals as well as a team of people in an organization which include ARP-Index – (Annual Research Publication Index), RC-Index – (Research Continuation Index), RE-Index (Research expansion Index), Project Productivity Index, and Cost Index. In this paper, we have analysed the affecting factors on these indices by considering four determinant issues which include research organization, researcher, funding agency, and industry using objectives, productivity, and cost as three key parameters. The various factors affecting these newly proposed research indices are discussed by considering their advantages, benefits, constraints, and disadvantages.
Aithal et al. (Sun,) studied this question.