A simple method for excluding self-citation from the h-index: the b-index
Purpose - The purpose of this conceptual paper is to present a simple, novel method for excluding self-citation from h-index values - the b-index. Design/methodology/approach - The work described assumes that relative self-citation rate is constant across an author's publications and that the citation profile of a set of papers follows a Zipfian distribution, and from this derives a simple mathematical expression for excluding self-citation from h-index values. Findings - It is shown that this new index is simply equal to the integer value of the author's external citation rate (non-self-citations) to the power three quarters, multiplied by their h-index. This value, called the b-index, does not require an extensive analysis of the self-citation rates of individual papers to produce, and appropriately shows the biggest numerical decreases, as compared to the corresponding h-index, for very high self-citers. Practical implications - The method presented allows the user to assess quickly and simply the effects of self-citation on an author's h-index. Originality/value - This paper provides a simple and novel method for excluding self-citation from the h-index and should be of interest to those interested in bibliometrics and databases of scientific literature.
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