A citation index with allowance for the implicit diffusion of scientific knowledge

Abstract

This paper suggests a new scientometric index that estimates knowledge diffusion and has two constituents: the first one is equivalent to a usual citation index, i.e., it describes the visible diffusion of scientific knowledge; the second one reflects the implicit diffusion of scientific knowledge and is expressed through the number of implicit citations. The practical value of the suggested index is that it permits implicit initiators of the scientific mainstream to be easily identified. The distinctive feature of such scientists is the large value of the suggested citation index and the low value of the usual citation index.