A scientist’s position in the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that measures citation impact exclusively within the examined discipline. This ensures that only papers and citations relevant to Economics and Finance are considered, providing a discipline-specific evaluation of scholarly influence.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
The ranking is derived from an expansive evaluation of 279,971 scientist profiles gathered from diverse bibliometric databases across all scientific disciplines. Within this dataset, 3,760 scientists specifically associated with Economics and Finance were examined.
To qualify for inclusion in the Economics and Finance ranking, a scientist must have a D-index of at least 30, with a majority of their tier publications firmly situated within the field. Besides bibliometric performance, recognized awards and notable achievements within Economics and Finance were also considered to inform the selection process.
The D-index threshold for considering top researchers is calibrated in increments of 10 according to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline. This approach ensures inclusion of the top 1% of leading scholars globally. Furthermore, a maximum proximity of 30% is maintained between a scientist’s overall general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index, safeguarding the disciplinary focus of the ranking.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
Understanding the limitations of relying solely on raw bibliometric data, the Research.com team has conducted thorough manual verification of all scientist profiles. Each profile was cross-checked against publications and records found in a broad spectrum of trustworthy and authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
Although the number of publications in prominent journals and distinguished conference proceedings does not directly impact a researcher’s ranking position, it serves as a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s substantial contribution to their field.
The ranking itself is established exclusively using each researcher’s D-index, extracted from the exhaustive datasets of OpenAlex and CrossRef—the most prominent and widely trusted bibliometric databases available to the broader research community.
For a comprehensive understanding of the methodology behind this ranking, please visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Purpose
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers around the world to explore and understand where the leading experts in various disciplines are focusing their efforts. By providing a reliable, meticulously curated ranking of top scientists, we aim to foster transparency and accessibility within the global scientific community.
Through this initiative, we offer a valuable resource that highlights leading experts not only by field but also by region and institutional affiliation, thereby promoting informed decision-making and collaboration at multiple levels. Our commitment to precision and rigor reflects our dedication to advancing scientific research and innovation worldwide.
