An H-index of 4 means very different things depending on the field:
It treats the first author and the middle author the same. hindex of 4 top
| Field | Average h-index (Early Career) | "Top" H-Index (Mid-Career) | Is 4 "Top"? | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 6-10 | 40-60 | No (Below average) | | Biomedical Sciences | 5-8 | 50-100+ | No (Entry level) | | Engineering | 3-5 | 20-40 | Average (Not top) | | Mathematics | 2-4 | 15-25 | Promising (Top for junior) | | Social Sciences / Humanities | 1-3 | 10-20 | Excellent (Potentially top for early career) | An H-index of 4 means very different things
The short answer is: However, for a junior researcher, an h-index of 4 is a solid foundation. For a senior professor, it would be catastrophic. This article dissects exactly what an h-index of 4 means, how it compares to "top" performers, and how to climb the ladder. For a senior professor, it would be catastrophic
An h‑index of 4 is . At this stage, many early-career researchers hover between 3 and 6. You are on track for a junior faculty position or industry research role.