Testing the validity of the Hirsch-index for research assessment purposes

This paper describes the results of a recent bibliometric study conducted in the Netherlands focusing on the level of the individual researcher, in relation to an academic reward system. In this study, the Hirsch-Index is compared with various bibliometric indicators and other characteristics of researchers, and its usefulness in particularly research assessment procedures is tested. We find a strong bias towards the research field(s) in which a researcher is active, thereby limiting the validity of this indicator for the specific interest of evaluation practices. Further analyses on a sample of scientists of various ages should test the sensitivity of the indicator towards age or length of career.