The Hirsch index (h-index) is one of the key indicators of a researcher's scientific activity and influence. For young scientists or those planning to obtain grants, increasing the h-index can be crucial. In this article, we have prepared ten practical ways to quickly improve your h-index.
TOP 10 tips on how to quickly improve your Hirsch index
1. Publications in high-ranking scientific journals
The highest number of citations is usually received by publications in scientific journals with high rating indicators, such as impact factor, quartile or percentile. The more authoritative the journal, the higher the chances that the research work will be noticed and cited. Indexing in international databases, such as Scopus and Web of Science, confirms the quality of the publication and its recognition in the scientific community. Publication in such a journal not only increases the visibility of the research, but also contributes to strengthening the author's scientific reputation and increasing the level of citations.
2. Collaboration with reputable scientists
One of the most effective ways to increase your Hirsch index is through scientific collaboration. Co-authoring with experienced researchers, especially those who already have a high h-index, significantly increases the chances of being cited. Such collaboration opens up access to a wider audience, including an international one, which has a positive impact on the visibility and influence of published materials.
Joint research, especially within the framework of international grants or projects involving reputable scientific centres, usually has greater academic weight. Collaboration participants usually disseminate research results in their professional circles, through personal contacts, conferences, social academic networks, and repositories. This expands the audience reach and promotes better dissemination of scientific ideas.
As a result, co-authored publications not only strengthen the author's scientific reputation but also increase the citation rate, which directly affects the growth dynamics of their h-index.
3. Optimisation of scientific article metadata
High-quality processing of scientific article metadata is a key factor in increasing its visibility in the academic environment and the number of citations. Metadata is not only technical characteristics, but also a powerful tool for popularising research. Among the large volume of publications in scientometric databases, users prefer those works in which the title, abstract, and keywords clearly reflect the essence and subject of the research. It should be noted that the greatest interest in scientific work is usually observed in the first 3-5 years after its publication – this is when well-prepared metadata can ensure maximum coverage and response in the scientific community.
To achieve high metadata effectiveness, special attention should be paid to three components: title, abstract and keywords. The title should be accurate, informative, contain key terms that reflect the main idea of the research, and consist of 10-15 words. The abstract should briefly and logically highlight the purpose, methodology, main results, and significance of the work, contain relevant key terms, and not exceed 300 words. Keywords should complement the title, correspond to the content of the article, and cover the main concepts of the research; the recommended number is 4 to 7. Well-formed metadata significantly increases the likelihood that an article will be found and cited, which contributes to improving its scientometric indicators.
4. Open access publication
Placing scientific publications in open access significantly increases their availability and dissemination. Free access to articles allows researchers from different countries to freely familiarise themselves with the results of the work, use them in their own research and cite them, which contributes to a faster exchange of knowledge and increases the scientific visibility of the author.
Uploading materials to open repositories is a legitimate and effective way to promote scientific work. It helps to expand the readership, provides free access to scientific content, increases the impact of the publication and can have a positive effect on its citation rate.
5. Moderate self-citation
The use of self-citation can be entirely justified, especially if the new article is a logical continuation of the author's previous research. This approach helps to strengthen the researcher's image and has a positive impact on scientific activity indicators, in particular the Hirsch index. At the same time, excessive use of self-citation may raise doubts about the author's impartiality, so it is important to maintain a reasonable approach and honesty: each reference must be relevant and appropriate.
There is no single clearly established standard for the acceptable level of self-citation in the scientific community. Based on our many years of experience working with scientific publications indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, we recommend keeping the level of self-citation below 12%. This level usually does not raise any concerns during the review process, contributes to the successful indexing of the article, and minimises the risk of accusations of excessive self-promotion.
6. Writing review articles
Review articles occupy a special place because they summarise, analyse and systematise existing research on a particular topic. Such publications are a valuable resource for other researchers, as they allow them to quickly familiarise themselves with the current state of research in the field, identify scientific gaps and form further directions for study. It is precisely because of their comprehensiveness and high informativeness that review articles usually have a significantly higher citation rate.
Creating a high-quality review requires in-depth knowledge of the subject, analytical thinking, and the ability to critically evaluate the literature. Publishing a review paper on a topical, interdisciplinary or innovative topic not only strengthens the author's authority, but also significantly contributes to the growth of their Hirsch index due to the large number of citations in subsequent publications.
7. Active participation in scientific events
Participation in scientific conferences, symposiums, workshops, and seminars is an important part of a researcher's academic life. Presenting the results of one's own research at such events not only promotes them but also creates conditions for constructive criticism, exchange of ideas, and feedback from colleagues. Establishing professional contacts at such events opens up opportunities for future collaborations and joint publications, which potentially increases the number of citations.
In addition, many conferences publish collections of materials that are subsequently indexed in international databases such as Scopus or Web of Science. Even short abstracts or reports presented at the international level can become a source of citations if they cover relevant topics or contain promising ideas. Thus, systematic participation in scientific events allows researchers to increase their visibility in the academic community and has a positive impact on their h-index.
8. Promotion of scientific works
In today's environment, publishing an article is not enough — it is also important to promote it. It is worth sharing links to your work on social networks such as LinkedIn or X (Twitter), in thematic communities, as well as on your own website or blog. This allows you to attract the attention of colleagues, journalists and potential scientific partners.
An effective tool for increasing scientific visibility is the ResearchGate platform, an international social network for scientists. Here you can publish your articles, join discussions, receive feedback and establish new professional connections. An active presence on ResearchGate helps expand your network and can positively impact the number of citations of your work over time.
9. Updating your researcher profile
It is important to update your profile regularly to keep it active and attractive to other users. Systems in databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar link the author's name to all of their indexed articles, forming a complete author profile that is updated with each new publication. At the same time, despite the automation of the process, errors are possible – in particular, due to the coincidence of authors' names and surnames, the system may sometimes incorrectly add other people's works. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically check your profile and make corrections if necessary.
10. Publishing works on the same topic
Systematic publication of scientific articles within the same subject area contributes to the formation of a recognisable scientific profile for the researcher. When a scientist consistently develops a chosen research niche, this allows them to create a stable circle of interested readers, including colleagues working in related fields. This focus on a single topic increases the chances of being cited, as other scientists addressing issues in which you are an expert will refer to your previous work.
Ultimately, such publications often complement each other, which naturally stimulates an increase in the number of citations and has a positive effect on the Hirsch index.
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