Citation analysis cross-field normalization: A new paradigm

A new paradigm for comparing quality of published papers across different disciplines has been proposed. This method uses a figure of merit of the ratio of actual citations received to the potential maximum number of citations that could have been received. It is analogous to approaches used to compare performance in physical systems, and appears intrinsically more useful than present approaches. The publication of this type of papers is a new initiative of our journal. Readers are invited to send us their views and comments on the paper if and when they would like to do that.