A scientist’s position in the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that considers only papers and citation counts within the specified discipline—in this case, Ecology and Evolution—thereby offering a focused and discipline-specific evaluation of scholarly impact.
Scope and Criteria of the Ranking
The ranking assesses an extensive dataset comprising 279,971 scientist profiles identified across diverse bibliometric repositories, spanning all scientific disciplines. Within this broad dataset, 8,385 scientists specializing in Ecology and Evolution were carefully examined.
To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist is required to have a D-index of at least 30. Furthermore, a majority of their tier publications must be within the Ecology and Evolution domain, ensuring the list accurately reflects specialists in this field. Awards and notable achievements specifically relevant to Ecology and Evolution were also factored into the evaluation.
The threshold for the D-index is calibrated in increments of 10, adjusted in accordance with the total number of scholars estimated for each discipline. This approach guarantees inclusion of the top 1% of leading scholars by D-index within the ranking. Additionally, to ensure discipline-specific consistency, a proximity of 30% or less between a scientist's general H-index and their D-index was maintained.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data are never intended as absolute measures of scholarly output, the research team behind this ranking undertook meticulous manual verification of all scientist profiles. This process included cross-correlation against a broad spectrum of reputable publication sources, ensuring that profile data accurately represent scholarly contributions in Ecology and Evolution.
While not directly impacting the position within the Research.com ranking, the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings serves as a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s contribution to the discipline.
The ranking itself is established using each researcher’s D-index, derived from data sourced primarily through OpenAlex and CrossRef—recognized as the most prominent and reliable bibliometric databases available to the research community today.
For an in-depth understanding of the methodology applied in this ranking, we encourage readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission Behind the Ranking
Our mission at Research.com is to motivate researchers, academic institutions, companies, and policymakers globally to explore the trajectories of leading experts within their fields. This ranking provides a transparent and authoritative resource that allows the entire scientific community to identify, engage with, and recognize the foremost experts in Ecology and Evolution across different countries and research institutions.
Through this initiative, we aim to foster collaboration, inform strategic decision-making, and promote excellence in scientific research worldwide.
