Data Sources and Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Economics and Finance Scientists in United States Ranking is primarily based on comprehensive bibliometric data collected from several reputable sources. The core data underpinning the ranking was gathered from OpenAlex and CrossRef, two of the most prominent and widely recognized bibliometric databases used in the scientific community. In addition, multiple other complementary data sources were utilized to enrich and validate the dataset. The bibliometric information, utilized to derive citation-based metrics essential for this ranking, was collected on January 12, 2026.
A scientist’s position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a metric specifically calculated using only the papers and citation metrics relevant to the examined discipline. This ensures an accurate reflection of a researcher’s impact within Economics and Finance, separate from their overall scholarly output.
Scope of Research
For this edition, a total of 279,971 scientist profiles were scrutinized across all disciplines using a diverse array of bibliometric data sources. Within the domain of Economics and Finance specifically, 1,982 scientists were evaluated. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a researcher was required to have a D-index of at least 30, with a majority of their tier publications situated within the field of Economics and Finance. Furthermore, awards and other notable achievements related to Economics and Finance were considered during the evaluation process.
The threshold for the D-index to consider top researchers varies in increments of 10 based on the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline. This adaptive approach ensures that the ranking consistently includes the top 1% of leading scholars within the field. Additionally, there is a critical criterion that the proximity between a scientist’s general H-index and their disciplinary D-index must be 30% or less, thereby confirming a strong disciplinary focus.
Verification and Validation Practices
The researchers behind this ranking recognize that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as a definitive measure of scholarly impact. Therefore, all scientist profiles included in the ranking underwent careful manual verification. Their publications were cross-correlated against a broad spectrum of trustworthy and authoritative sources to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data.
Although not used directly as a ranking factor, the quantity of papers published in prominent journals and top-tier conference proceedings was also reviewed as a supplementary indicator of a researcher’s contribution to Economics and Finance.
The ranking positions are ultimately established based on each researcher’s D-index, derived from the meticulously gathered information from OpenAlex and CrossRef—the most prominent bibliometric databases available to the academic community. For further details on the methodology employed, we invite readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to explore and recognize where leading experts are advancing their fields. This ranking serves as an essential resource for the global scientific community, facilitating awareness of the foremost specialists in specific disciplines, countries, and research institutions. By illuminating the leaders in Economics and Finance, we aim to foster collaboration, excellence, and informed decision-making across academic and professional spheres.
