A scientist's position in this ranking is determined based on their D-index (Discipline H-index), a field-specific adaptation of the classic H-index. The D-index exclusively considers papers and citation data within the examined discipline—Earth Science—thereby offering a more targeted assessment of a researcher’s impact in that field.
Scope of the Research and Ranking Criteria
This ranking examined 279,971 scientist profiles identified through an extensive aggregation of bibliometric sources covering all disciplines, with a focused scrutiny of 48 scientists specifically affiliated with Earth Science in Taiwan.
To qualify for inclusion, a scientist had to meet the following criteria:
- Attain a minimum D-index of 30, reflecting significant scholarly impact within Earth Science.
- Have a majority of their tier publications classified under the domain of Earth Science.
- Demonstrate awards and achievements specifically related to Earth Science, further substantiating their contributions in the field.
The D-index threshold for considering top researchers is adjusted in increments of 10 based on the estimated total number of scholars within each discipline, ensuring that approximately the top 1% of leading scholars are captured in the ranking. Additionally, a proximity threshold is enforced, where the difference between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index does not exceed 30%, ensuring alignment between their overall and discipline-specific impact.
Verification Practices and Methodological Rigor
Recognizing the limitations of relying solely on raw bibliometric data to evaluate scholarly output, the Research.com team conducted thorough manual verification of all scientist profiles included in this ranking. This process involved cross-referencing publication records against a broad spectrum of authoritative sources to authenticate accuracy and completeness.
Although not a direct factor influencing ranking positions, the number of publications in prestigious journals and conference proceedings is considered a valuable secondary signal of a researcher’s contribution and visibility within Earth Science.
The ranking position is ultimately established by calculating each researcher’s D-index using data sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef, two of the most prominent and trusted bibliometric databases accessible to the global research community. This dual-source approach enhances reliability and mitigates potential biases inherent in any single data repository.
For readers seeking a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies employed in constructing this ranking, please refer to our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to motivate researchers, academic institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers worldwide to explore emerging trends by identifying where leading experts are directing their efforts. We aim to provide the scientific community with transparent, rigorous insights about who the foremost authorities are in specific fields of study—in this case, Earth Science—across various countries and research organizations.
This ranking reflects our commitment to meticulous data curation and methodological transparency, fostering informed decision-making and collaboration within the global earth science and broader scientific ecosystems.
