Increasing citation impact is a priority for many researchers. This is entirely understandable, as high citation metrics indicate the relevance and value of an author's work. However, when it comes to increasing citations, many researchers encounter difficulties because they are unaware of the strategies that can be used to promote their publications. In this article, we will examine the role that individual researcher identifiers such as Scopus Author ID, ResearcherID and ORCID play in this process, and we will also determine whether it is possible to manage without using them.
What researcher identifiers exist?
Before exploring the role of personal researcher identifiers in increasing citation impact, it is important to understand what types of identifiers exist. In general, there are three key unique codes that provide access to essential information about a researcher.
These are Scopus Author ID, ResearcherID and ORCID, which operate across different scholarly platforms. Let us take a closer look at each of them.
Scopus Author ID
Scopus Author ID – is a unique author identifier that is automatically assigned by the Scopus database after a researcher’s first publication has been indexed. Its primary purpose is to consolidate all of an author's publications into a single profile.
Through Scopus Author ID, it is possible to view a researcher’s list of publications, citation count, h-index value, information about co-authors and other data related to their scholarly activity.
It should be noted that because the profile is generated automatically, the system may sometimes create duplicate profiles or incorrectly distribute publications among different profiles. For this reason, researchers should periodically check the accuracy of their data in Scopus to ensure that their metrics are calculated correctly.
ResearcherID
ResearcherID – is a researcher identifier used within the Web of Science database. It previously existed as a separate service but is now integrated into researcher profiles on the Web of Science Researcher platform.
Unlike Scopus Author ID, which is created automatically, ResearcherID requires the active involvement of the author in maintaining and updating their profile. Through it, researchers can consolidate their publications, track citation metrics, analyse the scholarly impact of their work and build a professional academic portfolio.
An important advantage of ResearcherID is its integration with international scientometric systems and its ability to synchronise with ORCID, which significantly simplifies the management of publication activity information.
ORCID
ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) – is an international digital researcher identifier that is not linked to any specific database or publisher. It is a unique 16-digit code that enables the unambiguous identification of an author regardless of their place of employment, country of residence, surname changes or variations in the spelling of their name.
The information available in an ORCID profile includes:
- First name and surname (with the option to add different name variations).
- Contact details.
- Education.
- Current place of employment as well as previous professional experience.
- A short biography.
- Keywords related to the researcher’s field of study.
- Information about publications, grants received and participation in research projects.
Unlike Scopus Author ID and ResearcherID, an ORCID profile is created by the researcher themselves and can be used at virtually every stage of scholarly activity, including submitting articles to journals, applying for grants, registering for academic conferences and interacting with publishers.
Today, ORCID is supported by the majority of international academic journals, universities, funding bodies and research organisations, and in some cases its presence is a mandatory requirement for manuscript submission.
Why are personal identifiers important for increasing citation rate?
At first glance, it may seem that the presence of ORCID, Scopus Author ID or ResearcherID has no influence on the number of citations, as researchers primarily cite high-quality scholarly works rather than the profiles of their authors. To some extent, this is true.
None of these identifiers can automatically increase the citation count of an article on their own. However, they create conditions that significantly enhance the visibility of researchers and their publications within the international academic community. How exactly do they do this?
1. Unambiguous author identification
One of the most common challenges in scholarly publishing is the difficulty of accurately establishing authorship. There are thousands of researchers around the world with identical or very similar names.
Additional difficulties arise due to different transliteration variants, the use of initials, surname changes after marriage or changes in institutional affiliation. Personal identifiers help eliminate this confusion and connect researchers with their publications.
2. Accurate tracking of citations and scientometric indicators
Through the use of ORCID, Scopus Author ID and ResearcherID, scholarly databases can track an author's citations more accurately. This reduces the risk of losing citations due to duplicate profiles or name spelling errors and ensures more accurate calculation of scientometric indicators.
3. Increased visibility of scholarly publications
Maintaining up-to-date profiles makes it easier for other researchers to find an author. Potential collaborators can quickly familiarise themselves with the topics of their research, review their publications and identify works that may be useful for their own research projects. The easier it is to find a researcher’s publications, the greater the likelihood that they will be used and cited.
4. Integration across academic platforms
Personal identifiers facilitate interaction between different academic information systems. For example, ORCID can be linked to profiles in Scopus, Web of Science, Crossref, institutional repositories and other services. This makes it possible to automatically update information about new publications and reduces the risk of losing data related to research outputs.
Thus, although personal identifiers do not guarantee an automatic increase in citation impact, they help ensure accurate publication tracking, enhance researcher visibility and create additional opportunities for disseminating scholarly work within the international academic environment.
If you are experiencing difficulties with managing your researcher profiles or increasing your h-index, the Scientific Publications company is ready to assist. Our specialists will conduct an audit of your profiles, identify problematic areas and develop an individual strategy for organically improving your metrics. Would you like to learn more about our services? Then fill in the form below, and one of our managers will contact you to arrange a free consultation. Together towards new academic achievements!
