Simulation of the h index use at university departments within the bibliometrics-based heuristics framework: Can the indicator be used to compare individual researchers?

•Bibliometrics-based heuristics (BBHs) are simple decision strategies for evaluative purposes based on bibliometric indicators.•One aim of the heuristics research program is to develop methods for studying the use of BBHs in research evaluation.•We developed the Stata command h_index and R package hindex.•The command and package can be used to decide whether the h index can be used to compare all researchers in a university department.•If the visualizations show great differences in the citation cultures between sub-groups in the department, the h index should not be used.