h-Index Five Years On: Academic Impact Rankings of Neurosurgical Units in the United Kingdom and Ireland

-OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to re-evaluate the h-index of neurosurgical units in the United Kingdom and Ireland because it was 5 years since it was last reported. - METHODS: Using the Web of Science database, we collated cumulative (1950-2020), 10-year (2011-2020), 5-year (2016-2020), and 3-year (2018-2020) data for neurosurgical units in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Data included h-index, number of publications, and average -umber of citations. - RESULTS: In total, 37 neurosurgical units were found in the United Kingdom and Ireland, which we ranked ac-cording to h-index. Since last reviewed 5 years previously, some units had changed their position, whereas others had remained reasonably static. The top 5 units were the same for the 10-year h-index between 2015 and 2020. The 5-year h-index showed some variation in the top 5 compared with the 10-year h-index. We were also able to compare 2 other studies with similar methods but differing from ours. -CONCLUSIONS: The h-index for neurosurgical units is the most reliable bibliometric, which shows the academic standing and correlates well with amount of research grant obtained and size of department. It is particularly useful when calculated for the most recent 10-year and 5-year periods. Neurosurgical units change their rankings over time and, therefore, it is important to update the tables periodically. We propose an online database with open access showing all h-index and bibliometric data for neurosurgical units in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This database could provide a live and dynamic report of the academic standings of those units and could be used for grant applications and reviews.

Automated summary

This study re-evaluated the h-index of neurosurgical units in the UK and Ireland, showing changes in rankings over a 5-year period. The h-index is deemed the most reliable bibliometric, correlating with academic standing and research activity. Regular updates of ranking tables and the establishment of an online database for transparency and accessibility are recommended.