The citation-based metrics used to devise the ranking were compiled based on data collected on January 12, 2026. A key metric employed is the D-index (Discipline H-index), which measures a researcher’s impact solely through the lens of publications and citations within the examined discipline—in this case, Economics and Finance. This approach ensures the ranking reflects discipline-specific scholarly contribution, rather than a researcher’s overall academic output.
Scope of Research and Inclusion Criteria
The ranking evaluation considered a total of 279,971 scientist profiles from diverse bibliometric databases spanning all scientific fields. From this extensive pool, 109 scientists specializing in Economics and Finance were specifically identified and examined.
To qualify for the ranking, a scientist’s D-index had to be at least 30, ensuring that only researchers demonstrating a significant level of discipline-specific impact were included. Additionally, the majority of a qualifying scientist’s tier publications had to be in Economics and Finance, underscoring their focus in the field. Consideration was also given to notable awards and professional achievements within the discipline, providing further validation of the researcher’s contributions.
The D-index qualification threshold is set with discipline size in mind; it increments by 10 depending on the estimated total number of scholars active within each field. This practice guarantees inclusion of the top 1% of leading scholars by discipline. Furthermore, to confirm discipline specificity, only researchers whose D-index is within approximately 30% or less of their general H-index were considered, ensuring alignment between their overall and discipline-focused impact.
Verification and Validation Practices
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone cannot fully represent the quality of scientific contributions, the Research.com team conducted meticulous manual verification of all scientist profiles included in the ranking. Profiles were cross-correlated against publications from a broad spectrum of trusted sources, reinforcing the accuracy and authenticity of the scholar’s documented achievements.
While the number of papers published in prestigious journals and conference proceedings is not a direct factor influencing a researcher’s position in the ranking, it is treated as an important secondary indicator of a scientist’s research impact within Economics and Finance.
The ranking positions are ultimately established based on each researcher’s D-index, derived from data gathered via OpenAlex and CrossRef—among the most prominent and widely recognized bibliometric databases available to the scholarly community.
For a comprehensive overview of the rigorous methodology applied throughout this ranking process, we encourage readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission behind the Ranking
At Research.com, our mission is to motivate researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers worldwide to observe trends in expertise and scientific leadership. By identifying and publicizing the leading experts in specialized domains such as Economics and Finance, across countries and within academic institutions, we aim to foster greater recognition of scientific achievement.
This ranking serves as a transparent, credible resource enabling the global scientific community to discover where top scholars are focusing their efforts and to facilitate collaboration and informed decision-making. Through carefully curated and validated data, Research.com is committed to supporting excellence and innovation in research across disciplines.
