The ranking methodology focuses on a researcher's D-index (Discipline H-index), which exclusively considers publications and citation counts within the specific discipline under evaluation. This refined metric ensures that the position of each scientist accurately reflects their impact and contributions within the field of Economics and Finance, rather than their overall scientific output across other fields.
Scope of Research and Inclusion Criteria
In developing this ranking, a total of 279,971 scientist profiles from a diverse array of bibliometric sources were analyzed across all academic disciplines. Within this dataset, 1,983 scientists specialized in Economics and Finance were specifically examined.
To be eligible for inclusion in the ranking, a researcher was required to have a D-index of at least 30, ensuring a minimum threshold of academic impact in the field. Additionally, the majority of a scientist’s tier publications needed to fall within the domain of Economics and Finance. Consideration was also given to notable awards and achievements related to these disciplines.
The cutoff for the D-index is not uniform but is adjusted in increments of 10 relative to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline, thus maintaining a consistent and fair benchmark. This approach guarantees that the ranking incorporates the top 1% of leading scholars in Economics and Finance. Further, the difference between a scientist's general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index was required to be ≤30%, ensuring relevance and concentration of scholarly impact within the target field.
Verification and Validation Processes
The research team behind this ranking is acutely aware that raw bibliometric data alone is insufficient for absolute evaluation of scholarly output. To that end, all scientist profiles included were meticulously manually verified and cross-checked against publications indexed in a wide range of trusted and authoritative sources.
While not directly factored into the ranking position, the volume of papers published in prominent journals and well-respected conference proceedings serves as an important secondary indicator of a researcher’s substantive contributions to Economics and Finance. The ranking’s principal metric, the D-index, was established using rigorously collated information from OpenAlex and CrossRef — two of the most prominent and widely trusted bibliometric databases available to the research community.
For a detailed overview of the comprehensive methodology employed, readers are encouraged to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
Research.com is dedicated to inspiring researchers, industry leaders, policy makers, and academic institutions worldwide to explore and identify the trajectories of leading experts. Our rankings provide a transparent and reliable resource for the global scientific community to recognize the foremost specialists in particular fields of study, across various countries, and within research organizations.
By delivering rigorously curated and validated data, Research.com aims to foster an environment where academic excellence is visible and accessible, facilitating collaboration, informed decision-making, and the advancement of knowledge within the Economics and Finance disciplines and beyond.
