A scientist’s rank within this list is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a metric that refines the traditional H-index by including exclusively papers and citations within the discipline under examination, here Ecology and Evolution. This ensures that evaluations reflect a researcher’s specialized impact in the relevant field rather than their overall citation footprint.
Scope of Research and Ranking Criteria
The ranking was derived from a thorough examination of 279,971 scientist profiles compiled across a broad spectrum of bibliometric datasets encompassing all scientific disciplines. From this pool, 32 scientists specializing specifically in Ecology and Evolution were evaluated.
To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, researchers were required to meet the following criteria:
- Possess a D-index of at least 30.
- Have a majority of their tier publications published within the domain of Ecology and Evolution.
- Be recognized for awards and achievements pertinent to Ecology and Evolution.
The D-index threshold for inclusion is dynamically set in increments of 10, calibrated according to the estimated total number of scholars within each discipline. This methodology ensures that the ranking encompasses the top 1% of leading scholars while maintaining rigor and exclusivity. Furthermore, to confirm alignment with field-specific research impact, the difference between a scientist’s general H-index and their Discipline H-index (D-index) remains within 30% or less, reinforcing the discipline's focus of the ranking.
Additional Verification and Quality Assurance Practices
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute arbiter of scholarly output, the team behind this ranking applies rigorous manual verification protocols. Scientist profiles have been meticulously checked and cross-correlated with publications verified by a wide range of trustworthy academic sources to safeguard the credibility and authenticity of the ranking.
While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence placement within the Research.com ranking, it provides a valuable secondary signal reflecting a scientist’s active contribution to their field.
The final position in the ranking leverages each researcher’s D-index as derived from OpenAlex and CrossRef — among the most prominent and widely trusted bibliometric databases available to the global research community. For a detailed explanation of the methodology employed, we invite readers to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Goals
Research.com is committed to fostering a global dialogue among researchers, academic institutions, policy makers, and industry leaders by illuminating where leading experts in science are focusing their efforts. Our mission is to motivate and empower stakeholders to understand the trajectories of cutting-edge research by providing transparent, rigorously vetted rankings of top scientists categorized by specific areas of study, geographic location, or institutional affiliation.
Through this ranking, we aim to amplify visibility and recognition for outstanding researchers in Ecology and Evolution in Chile, helping shape informed decisions that advance scientific knowledge and innovation worldwide.
