The h-index is used to gauge a researcher's productivity. Which statement accurately defines h-index ?

AThe number of publications an author has authored.

BThe average number of citations a publication receives.

CThe maximum number 'h' such that an author has 'h' papers each cited at least 'h' times. ✓ Correct

DThe maximum number 'h' such that an author has 'h' papers each cited at most 'h' times.

Correct answer: (C) The maximum number 'h' such that an author has 'h' papers each cited at least 'h' times.

Explanation

The h-index is the largest number h for which an author has h papers each cited at least h times.

Merely counting the number of publications ignores their citation impact, so that definition is wrong.

The average number of citations per publication describes mean citations, not the h-index.

Requiring each paper cited at most h times inverts the rule and describes nothing meaningful.

The h-index thus fuses productivity and impact into a single robust figure.

A researcher can raise the h-index only by producing more papers that also attract more citations.

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