An index to quantify scientific debt

N. Zen

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arXiv · 2607.23011

An index to quantify scientific debt

N. Zen

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Abstract

I propose the index $z$, defined as $z=\sum\limits_{i=1}^{n} \mathrm{IF}_{i}$, where $\mathrm{IF}_{i}$ is the impact factor of the journal in the publication year of the $i$-th retracted paper. Whereas the $h$-index is a forward-looking measure of scientific achievement, the $z$-index quantifies scientific debt. The quantity $h-z$ may provide a more balanced assessment of scientific value.

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N. Zen. 2026-07-25. An index to quantify scientific debt. https://arxiv.org/abs/2607.23011

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