Data Sources and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Economics and Finance Scientists in Tunisia Ranking is primarily based on comprehensive bibliometric data sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef, alongside multiple other trusted data repositories. These sources provide robust data on publications, citations, and author profiles that underpin the analytical framework of the ranking. The bibliometric data utilized to derive the citation-based metrics was collected on January 12, 2026, ensuring the ranking reflects the most up-to-date research impact assessments available at the time of compilation.
A central metric employed to determine each scientist’s position within the ranking is the D-index (Discipline H-index). Unlike the general H-index, the D-index isolates papers and citation metrics specifically pertinent to the examined discipline—Economics and Finance in this context—thereby providing a more precise measure of scholarly impact within the given field.
Scope of Research and Eligibility Criteria
The ranking evaluates a vast universe of researchers, starting from a dataset of 279,971 scientist profiles identified via multiple bibliometric sources across all disciplines, including 1,142 scientists specializing specifically in Economics and Finance. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist must have a D-index of at least 30, with the majority of their tier publications focused in the area of Economics and Finance.
In addition to bibliometric strength, scientists’ awards and notable achievements within the discipline were taken into account to reflect a more holistic view of their contributions. The D-index threshold for recognizing top researchers is systematically adjusted in increments of 10, relative to the total estimated number of scholars in each discipline. This approach ensures inclusion of the top 1% of leading scholars per field.
Furthermore, eligibility requires that the proximity between a researcher’s overall H-index and their Economics and Finance-specific D-index does not exceed 30%, guaranteeing that their primary impact is aligned with the targeted discipline.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute evaluation tool, the Research.com team has implemented extensive manual verification procedures for all scientist profiles. This process includes cross-correlating data against publications indexed in a wide breadth of carefully vetted, trustworthy sources to ensure accuracy and validity.
While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher’s ranking position, it serves as an important secondary indicator of their meaningful contribution to research within Economics and Finance.
The ranking itself is rigorously established based on each researcher’s D-index calculated from verified information retrieved from OpenAlex and CrossRef — two of the most prominent and respected bibliometric databases available to the global research community.
For a detailed explanation of the methodology utilized in the creation of this ranking, we encourage readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission behind the development of rankings such as this is to motivate researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to explore and understand where leading experts are focusing their efforts. We aim to provide a trusted, transparent, and meticulously crafted resource that enables the scientific community and institutional representatives to identify and connect with top scholars in highly specialized areas of study.
By illuminating the landscape of research excellence at multiple levels — country-specific, discipline-focused, and institutionally anchored — we foster a more informed dialogue around scientific advancement and collaboration, contributing to a globally competitive and knowledge-driven future.
