A scientist’s position in this ranking is fundamentally determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that considers only papers and citations relevant to the specific discipline under review—Economics and Finance in this case. This approach ensures the ranking accurately represents impactful contributions within the defined field.
Scope and Selection Criteria
The ranking process initially evaluated 279,971 scientist profiles identified from a broad spectrum of bibliometric data sources, spanning all academic disciplines. Within this dataset, 4,000 scientists specializing in Economics and Finance were isolated for detailed consideration.
To qualify for inclusion, each scientist was required to have a D-index of at least 30, with the majority of their tier publications concentrated in Economics and Finance. In addition to bibliometric performance, scientists’ awards and notable achievements within the field were also factored into the evaluation.
The threshold for D-index consideration is dynamically adjusted by increments of 10 based on the estimated total number of scholars within each discipline. This methodology ensures robust representation of the top 1% of leading experts. Furthermore, candidates typically maintain a proximity of 30% or less between their overall H-index and their discipline-specific D-index, reinforcing the focus on domain-specific excellence.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
The Research.com team recognizes that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute measure of a researcher’s scholarly output. Consequently, all scientist profiles included in the ranking were meticulously verified through manual review and were cross-correlated against publication records from a variety of trustworthy sources to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
Although not directly influencing the ranking position, the quantity of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings is considered a valuable secondary signal of a researcher’s contribution to the field.
The position of each scientist in the ranking is ultimately established according to their validated D-index, derived from bibliometric information sourced principally from OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most prominent and trusted bibliometric databases available to the research community.
For detailed information about the methodology implemented in this ranking, we encourage readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Vision and Mission
Research.com is committed to fostering a deeper understanding of global research excellence by providing transparent, rigorous, and comprehensive rankings of leading scientists. Our mission is to motivate researchers, institutions, companies, and policymakers worldwide to identify and track the trajectories of top experts in various fields, countries, and institutions.
By highlighting who the preeminent experts are in specific areas of study, we aim to empower the entire scientific community with the knowledge to collaborate, innovate, and make informed decisions that advance academic and societal progress.
