A scientist’s position in the ranking is determined exclusively by their D-index (Discipline H-index), which focuses on citation and publication metrics relevant solely to the examined discipline—in this case, Economics and Finance. This targeted metric ensures that the ranking reflects performance within the specific field rather than aggregated cross-disciplinary output.
Scope of Research and Scientist Inclusion Criteria
In crafting the ranking, a total of 279,971 scientist profiles spanning all academic disciplines were examined from diverse bibliometric sources. Within this dataset, 54 scientists specializing in Economics and Finance were specifically identified and assessed. To qualify for inclusion:
- A minimum D-index of 30 was required, evidencing a substantial and sustained impact within the discipline.
- The majority of a researcher’s tier publications had to be attributed to Economics and Finance, confirming focused scholarly engagement within the field.
- Recognition of awards and other notable achievements within Economics and Finance was also factored into the vetting process, further ensuring relevance and excellence.
The threshold for the D-index is dynamically adjusted in increments of 10 based upon the estimated total number of scholars within each discipline to maintain a consistent standard. This methodology guarantees that the top 1% of leading scholars in each subject area are captured in the ranking. Additionally, a stringent proximity criterion ensures that the difference between a scholar’s general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index remains at or below 30%, reinforcing discipline focus.
Additional Verification Practices
At Research.com, we recognize that raw bibliometric data alone cannot fully encapsulate the quality and impact of a researcher’s scientific contributions. With this in mind, all scientist profiles underwent thorough manual verification and were cross-checked against publications indexed in a broad spectrum of trusted and authoritative sources.
While not directly influencing ranking positions, the volume of papers published in highly regarded journals and conference proceedings is documented as a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s contributions within their specialty.
The ranking positions themselves are firmly rooted in each researcher’s D-index, derived from OpenAlex and CrossRef data. These databases are among the most established and trusted bibliometric platforms globally, lending robustness and transparency to the ranking process.
For comprehensive details on the methodology behind this ranking, we invite readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission Behind the Ranking
The principal goal of Research.com in creating this ranking is to inspire researchers, corporations, and policy-makers worldwide to closely monitor the trajectories of leading experts in key scientific fields. By doing so, we provide the global scientific community with a valuable resource to identify and connect with top scholars by discipline, country, and academic institution.
Through these rankings, Research.com aims to foster an environment where knowledge flows more freely and informed decisions can be made in funding, collaboration, and strategic development in research and innovation.
