Data Sources and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Economics and Finance Scientists in China Ranking is primarily built upon comprehensive bibliometric data drawn from OpenAlex and CrossRef, alongside multiple other reputable data sources. These platforms represent some of the most prominent and widely recognized bibliometric databases available to the global research community. The bibliometric data underpinning the citation-based metrics were collected on January 12, 2026. A key metric used to determine a scientist’s ranking position is the D-index (Discipline H-index), which specifically focuses on papers and citation counts within the examined discipline, ensuring a targeted and relevant evaluation of research impact.
Scope of Research Considered
For this edition, an extensive review was conducted encompassing 279,971 scientist profiles identified across a broad spectrum of bibliometric sources and covering all academic disciplines. Within the field of Economics and Finance specifically, 109 scientists were thoroughly examined. To qualify for inclusion in this ranking, a researcher’s D-index had to meet a minimum threshold of 30, with the additional requirement that the majority of their tier publications fall within the Economics and Finance domain. Furthermore, awards and notable achievements in the field were also considered as supplementary indicators of a scientist’s standing.
The D-index threshold is set incrementally by multiples of 10, reflecting the estimated total population of scholars in each discipline, while ensuring representation of the top 1% of researchers. Additionally, candidates had to demonstrate a proximity of 30% or less between their general H-index and their D-index, balancing overall productivity with discipline-specific impact.
Additional Verification Practices
The researchers responsible for compiling this ranking recognize that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute measure of a scholar’s output or impact. Accordingly, each scientist’s profile was manually verified and cross-correlated against a wide array of trusted publication venues and authoritative sources to enhance accuracy and reliability. While not directly factored into ranking positions, the quantity of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings is acknowledged as a valuable secondary signal of a researcher’s contribution to the field.
The final ranking positions arise from each researcher’s rigorously derived D-index as calculated using data from OpenAlex and CrossRef repositories. To learn more about the detailed methodology employed in constructing this and other rankings, we invite readers to visit our methodology page.
The Research.com Agenda
Research.com is committed to fostering greater transparency and insight within the global scientific ecosystem. Our mission with this ranking is to motivate researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to observe emerging trends and movements among leading experts. By providing a clear and reliable index of top-performing scientists in specific fields, geographic regions, or institutions, we aim to facilitate connectivity and awareness within the academic community, supporting informed decision-making and collaboration on a global scale.
