Publish or Perish
Software for analyzing academic citations
About
Publish or Perish is a free software tool that retrieves and analyzes academic citation data from sources like Google Scholar, Crossref, and Scopus. It calculates various bibliometric indicators, such as the h-index and total citations, for authors, journals, or specific topics. This helps educators track their research impact, evaluate potential collaborators, and identify influential works, while students can use it for comprehensive literature reviews and understanding research landscapes.
How to Use
- Download and install the Publish or Perish software onto your computer.
- Launch the application and select your desired data source, such as Google Scholar or Microsoft Academic.
- Enter your search query, which could be author names, keywords, or journal titles.
- Analyze the returned results, which include citation metrics like h-index, total citations, and average citations per paper.
- Export the data in various formats for further analysis or to include in reports.
Available On
AI in Education's Verdict
Editorial Review
Publish or Perish is a free desktop tool that retrieves citation data from Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, and other sources, computing h-index and citation metrics for researchers and journals. It fills a genuine gap for academics at institutions without Scopus or Web of Science access, and its free availability is a major advantage. The Windows-first experience and desktop-only design feel dated, but the core functionality remains uniquely accessible for citation analysis at zero cost.
Criteria breakdown — Functionality: 3.5/5 | Ease of Use: 4.0/5 | Value: 5.0/5 | Education Fit: 4.0/5 | Support/Docs: 3.5/5
Rated by AI in Education editors using a transparent rubric across Functionality, Ease of Use, Value, Education Fit, and Support/Docs maturity.