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The mf-index: A Citation-Based Multiple Factor Index to Evaluate and Compare the Output of Scientists

Comparing the output of scientists as objective as possible is an important factor for, e.g., the approval of research funds or the filling of open positions at universities. Numeric indices, which express the scientific output in the form of a concrete value, may not completely supersede an overall view of a researcher, but provide helpful indications for the assessment. This work introduces the most important citation-based indices, analyzes their advantages and disadvantages and provides an overview of the aspects considered by them. On this basis, we identify the criteria that an advanced index should fulfill, and develop a new index, the mf-index. The objective of the mf-index is to combine the benefits of the existing indices, while avoiding as far as possible their drawbacks and to consider additional aspects. Finally, an evaluation based on data of real publications and citations compares the mf-index with existing indices and verifies that its advantages in theory can also be determined in practice.