A scientist’s position in this ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a metric that reflects a researcher’s scholarly output and citation impact strictly within the examined discipline—in this case, Economics and Finance. By focusing exclusively on discipline-specific publications and citations, the D-index provides a rigorous and targeted assessment of a scientist’s contribution to their field.
Scope of Research and Selection Criteria
In developing this ranking, an extensive pool of 279,971 scientist profiles spanning all disciplines was initially examined using a diverse array of bibliometric databases. From this broad cohort, 30 leading scientists specializing in Economics and Finance were identified for inclusion.
To qualify for the ranking, a scientist must have a D-index of at least 30, ensuring that only researchers with a significant body of work in Economics and Finance are considered. Additionally, a majority of their tier publications must be concentrated within this disciplinary area. Beyond numerical metrics, recognition of awards and key achievements in Economics and Finance was factored in to reflect scholarly eminence beyond citation counts alone.
The D-index threshold for identifying top researchers is dynamically set in increments of 10 according to the estimated total scholar population in each discipline. This approach guarantees inclusion of the top 1% of leading experts while adapting to the size and characteristics of the academic community. To ensure relevance and focus, candidates must exhibit a proximity of 30% or less between their general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
The research team fully acknowledges that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute indicator of researcher quality or impact. Accordingly, all scientist profiles included in the ranking underwent a rigorous process of manual verification. This involved cross-referencing publication records against a broad range of trustworthy and validated sources to confirm authorship and publication accuracy.
Although not directly affecting ranking positions, the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings is regarded as a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s substantive contributions within Economics and Finance.
The ranking’s foundation rests on data from OpenAlex and CrossRef, two of the most prominent and respected bibliometric databases accessible to the global research community. We encourage readers to consult our methodology page for further details about the nuanced approach and data processing techniques underpinning this list.
Research.com’s Vision and Mission
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, corporations, and policymakers worldwide to study emerging trajectories in scientific expertise. We strive to provide the global scientific community with a transparent, reliable means of identifying the foremost experts in specific areas of research—whether at the country level, within disciplines, or across research institutions.
By systematically highlighting leading scholars, we aim to foster collaborations, inform institutional strategy, and support evidence-based decision-making in academia and beyond. This meticulous ranking exemplifies our commitment to excellence, accuracy, and scholarly integrity.
