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 the quantitative and qualitative of 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.
In this scientometric and descriptive study all of the faculty members of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (425 people) were included in 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 then documented the checklist, as a result those m parameter were calculated. In the final operations and in order to data analysis software, so data analysis was carried out by software SPSS16, as well as a number of indicators and charts and graphs, descriptive statistics were used.
Of the total, 209 people (49.2%) have the Hirsch index. The overall mean (SD) of the Hirsch index 2.71(3.85) and m parameter 0.36 (0.44) were obtained, respectively. The maximum Hirsch index has been 17 that three members of the biochemistry, biostatistics and epidemiology and public health they earn them, respectively, and the highest m parameter was 2.16 that was awarded to the academic member of Psychiatry department. The mean of the Hirsch index and m parameter were 3.31 and 0.42 in men and 1.76 and 0.25 in women respectively, as well as for the basic sciences courses 4.97 and 0.57 and also for clinical sciences 1.72 and 0.26 were obtained. Ph.D. degree and professor grade, respectively with Hirsch index 5.01 and 9.3 and m parameter 0.58 and 0.89 were highest mean as well. In terms of scale between the two indexes studied, rank and position of all four variables did not differ. In general, department of immunology at the university, the mean of Hirsch index 9.25 and department of biostatistics and epidemiology the mean of m parameter 1.14 were top rank respectively. School of health the mean of the Hirsch index 7.02 and the mean of m parameter 0.87 has been the highest rating from two aspects among the universities obtained. In comparison between the two indices of scientometric, ranking and position of other faculties and educational departments were different from together.
The average of the Hirsch index and m parameter of research products at the faculty members of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, between the universities of medical sciences will be assessed average to high level and fairly good, but they are low level than international indices both qualitatively and quantitatively aspects. Hence, it is recommended that of the m parameter to be used accompanying with other scientometric indices as scientific evaluation criteria of academic researchers.