A bibliometric index called Y-index (j, h) is developed, taking the prominent first author and corresponding author positions into account for evaluation and comparison of scientific productivity. Y-index contained two parameters: publication performance j, which is related to publication quantity, and publication character h, which describes the proportion of corresponding author publications (RP) to first author publications (FP). The top cited articles with at least 100 citations from 1900 to 2012 were selected to examine the Y-index for the evaluation. Y-index and three indicators, number of total publications, FP and RP, were compared. The main contributors of authors, institutions and countries and their contribution characters were revealed by Y-index. Results showed that the topmost authors were more likely to being designated as the corresponding authors, and their contribution characters varied widely. Most institutions and countries had a balance of FP and RP. Y-index that accredits the important collaborators with weighted and comprehensive credit might be a better choice for the evaluation.
