Data Sources and Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Ecology and Evolution Scientists in Madagascar Ranking is primarily based on bibliometric data harvested from leading academic databases, including OpenAlex and CrossRef, along with multiple other reputable data sources. The collection of citation-based metrics used to construct this ranking was finalized on January 12, 2026. The core metric determining a scientist's placement in this ranking is the D-index (Discipline H-index), which selectively incorporates only those papers and citation data specifically related to the discipline under examination—in this case, Ecology and Evolution.
Scope of Research and Inclusion Criteria
This ranking examines a total of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across a wide spectrum of disciplines and bibliometric data sources. Within this dataset, 1,015 scientists specializing in Ecology and Evolution were specifically evaluated. To qualify for inclusion, a scientist needed to possess a D-index of at least 30, ensuring that their research contributions meet a threshold of significant impact within the discipline. Furthermore, the majority of their tier publications had to be firmly situated within Ecology and Evolution. Additional qualitative factors, including awards and achievements relevant to Ecology and Evolution, were also considered in the evaluation process.
The threshold for the D-index varies in increments of 10 depending on the size of the scholarly community in each discipline. This approach guarantees that the ranking accurately reflects the top 1% of leading scholars within the field. Another important consideration was that a qualifying scientist’s general H-index and their D-index exhibit a proximity of 30% or less, thereby confirming a robust alignment between their overall influence and discipline-specific contributions.
Verification and Data Integrity
At Research.com, we fully acknowledge that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute metric for evaluating scholarly output. Accordingly, each scientist profile included in the ranking underwent meticulous manual verification and was cross-correlated with publications indexed in a wide array of trustworthy academic sources. Although not directly factored into the ranking position, the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings constitutes a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s contribution to the field of Ecology and Evolution.
The ranking positions themselves are calculated solely based on the D-index derived from the rigorously curated data from OpenAlex and CrossRef, which remain the most comprehensive and widely respected bibliometric databases accessible to the global research community. For detailed insight into the methodology behind this ranking, we encourage you to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
Research.com is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of global scientific leadership. Our mission through the creation of rankings such as this one is to motivate researchers, academic institutions, corporations, and policymakers worldwide to track the trajectories of leading experts. By illuminating who the foremost specialists are in specific fields, countries, and institutions, we aim to offer an invaluable resource that drives collaboration, informs strategic investment in science, and supports evidence-based decision-making in research policy and beyond.
