In this scenario, the researcher has 4 papers (A, B, C, and D) that have all been cited at least 4 times. Paper E only has 2 citations, which stops the h-index from rising to 5. To increase this h-index to 5, two things must happen: must gain 3 more citations (to reach a total of 5). Paper D must gain 1 more citation (to move from 4 to 5). Strategies to Move Past an H-Index of 4
Papers take longer to write, publish, and cite. In these fields, books are often favored over journals. An h-index of 4 in the humanities can represent several years of steady, impactful work and may even be sufficient for securing early faculty positions. The Math Behind the Metric: A Visual Example h-index of 4