Data Sources and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Economics and Finance Scientists in New Zealand Ranking is primarily based on comprehensive bibliometric data collected from OpenAlex and CrossRef, complemented by multiple additional data sources. These prominent databases serve as the backbone for extracting reliable citation and publication records. Bibliometric data utilized to devise the citation-based metrics for this ranking were collected on January 12, 2026. A scientist’s position in the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a metric that uniquely focuses on papers and citation counts strictly within the examined discipline, thereby ensuring that the ranking accurately reflects scholarly impact specific to Economics and Finance.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
The ranking was developed after an extensive evaluation of 279,971 scientist profiles identified from a diverse array of bibliometric data sources spanning all academic disciplines. Within this vast dataset, 19 scientists specifically from the Economics and Finance fields were examined in detail. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist’s D-index needed to be at least 30, with the majority of their top-tier publications concentrated in Economics and Finance. In addition to bibliometric thresholds, a scientist’s awards and other significant achievements in the field were carefully considered. The D-index threshold for consideration is dynamically set as an increment of 10 relative to the estimated total number of scholars within each discipline, while simultaneously ensuring that the top 1% of leading scholars in Economics and Finance are comprehensively represented. Additionally, qualification requires that the discrepancy between a scientist’s overall general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index not exceed 30%, reinforcing the emphasis on discipline-focused impact.
Verification and Validation Practices
The Research.com team acknowledges that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute or sole evaluative tool for scholarly output. Therefore, every scientist profile included in the ranking was subjected to meticulous manual verification and cross-correlation against publications indexed in a wide range of reputable academic sources. While the number of papers published in high-impact journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence the final ranking position, it offers a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s meaningful contributions to their specialized area of research.
The primary ranking positions are established strictly using each researcher’s D-index derived from information gathered through OpenAlex and CrossRef—the most authoritative and widely recognized bibliometric databases accessible to the academic community. For further detailed information about the methodology and underlying data processing protocols, please visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
The overarching mission behind the creation of this ranking is to inspire researchers, academic institutions, companies, and policymakers worldwide to critically examine the trajectories and contributions of leading experts in various fields. By providing a transparent and rigorously developed resource, Research.com aims to facilitate a clearer understanding of who the foremost scientists are—whether within specific domains of study, geographic regions such as New Zealand, or at individual research institutions. This endeavor is designed to strengthen connections within the scientific community and guide strategic decision-making related to research funding, collaboration, and policy formulation.
