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Evaluation of Moroccan research using a bibliometric-based approach: investigation of the validity of the h-index

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of an evaluation of the national research system in Morocco. The exercise focuses on the period 1997–2006 and includes a comparison with South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Portugal and Greece. Ratings of highly ranked researchers are developed on the basis of their number of publications, number of citations and also their ‘h-index’ (or Hirsch index). Finally, we examine the empirical model set by Glänzel that related the h-index to the number of publications and the mean citation rate per paper for these ‘upper-class’ researchers. The use of this model confirms that the h-index is likely to reflect the importance and the quality of the scientific output of a given researcher.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ibn Tofaïl University, B.P 133, Kenitra, 14 000, Morocco

    Hamid Bouabid

  2. SPRU — Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QE, UK

    Ben R. Martin

Authors
  1. Hamid Bouabid
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  2. Ben R. Martin
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Correspondence to Hamid Bouabid.

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Bouabid, H., Martin, B.R. Evaluation of Moroccan research using a bibliometric-based approach: investigation of the validity of the h-index. Scientometrics 78, 203–217 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-007-2005-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-007-2005-4

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