: Because the h-index is a cumulative metric that never decreases, it is heavily influenced by the length of a researcher's career.

So, an h‑index of 4 is of a top researcher’s score.

In this scenario, your h-index is 4. It is a measure of scientific productivity (number of papers) and impact (citations).

While the h-index is widely used for hiring, promotions, and grant allocations, it is often criticized for being a "vanity metric".

An h-index of 4 can be more or less impressive depending on your discipline: