Would it be possible to increase the Hirsch-index, π-index or CDS-index by increasing the number of publications or citations only by unity?

The aim of the study is to explore the effects of the increase in the number of publications or citations on several impact indicators by a single journal paper or citation. The possible change of the h-index, A-index, R-index, π-index, π-rate, Journal Paper Citedness (JPC), and Citation Distribution Score (CDS) is followed by models. Particular attention is given to the increase of the indices by a single plus citation. The results obtained by the “successively built-up indicator” model show that with increasing number of citations or self-citations the indices may increase substantially.

► The paper deals with the influence of the increasing the number of publications or citations on several scientometric impact indicator. ► The increase of the indices by a single item is demonstrated by several models. ► The main conclusion is that the indices may increase substantially at low number of papers and citations. ► The rate of the increase is very high for the π-index and CDS-index.