The Correlation among Y-Index and Other Scientometric Indicators

Abstract

Scientometric analysis of research outputs is important in universities for research evaluation as it provides necessary inputs for decision makers. Common scientometric indicators are the number of publications, average citation per document, h-index and the number of authors. Y-index is also an indicator considering both the quantity and quality of scientific products, based on first author and corresponding author publications. This study aims at determining these indicators in first-grade universities of medical sciences in Iran and investigating the correlation among Y-index and other mentioned indices, and comparison between Y-index and h-index. The population under study comprised of all scientific productions of fourteen top universities of medical sciences in Iran, indexed in Web of Science in 2012 (7435 documents). The Tehran University of Medical Sciences is ranked first considering five indicators under investigation. A significant positive relationship was obtained among Y-index with the number of publications, the number of authors, and h-index. This indicates that Y-index can be a potential proper index, for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of universities along with other scientific and research institutions.