ResearchHub · Scientist Ranking Academy
What Is the i10-Index and When Is It Useful?
A clear explanation of the ten-citation threshold measure and its strengths and weaknesses.
A straightforward count
The i10-index counts the number of publications attributed to a researcher that have at least ten citations. Someone with fourteen such publications has an i10-index of fourteen. This differs from the h-index, where the citation threshold rises as the index rises.
Why simplicity can help
The threshold is easy to explain and can give a rough sense of how many works have received some citation attention. As with any count, however, the answer depends on source coverage, author matching and which document types are considered.
Its boundaries
A publication with nine citations and one with none contribute equally to the i10-index: neither meets the threshold. An article with ten citations and one with ten thousand both contribute one. The measure also ignores the role of co-authors and differences between disciplines.
Responsible reporting
Do not use the i10-index to label a researcher as credible or untrustworthy. Include it as a descriptive metric with source and date, and weigh it against research context, field-appropriate comparisons and documented contribution evidence.
