citation metrics

Citation metrics are measurements that evaluate the impact and reach of academic research based on how often publications are referenced by other researchers. Common metrics include the h-index, which counts both the number of publications and their citations, and the impact factor, which assesses the average citations per article in a journal over a specific time. These metrics help gauge a researcher's productivity and influence within their field, guiding funding decisions, hiring, and scholarly reputation, although they can have limitations and should be considered alongside qualitative assessments of research quality.