Data Sources and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Environmental Sciences Scientists in Fiji Ranking is primarily based on bibliometric data obtained from leading scholarly databases, including OpenAlex and CrossRef, supplemented by multiple other reliable data sources. These extensive data repositories provide comprehensive coverage of scientific publications and citations across disciplines worldwide. The bibliometric data used to devise the citation-based metrics for this ranking were collected on January 12, 2026.
A researcher’s position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), which is a specialized variation of the traditional H-index. The D-index focuses exclusively on papers and citation metrics pertaining to the examined discipline—in this case, Environmental Sciences—thereby ensuring that the ranking precisely reflects a scientist’s scholarly impact within their core research area.
Scope of Research and Selection Criteria
To create a robust and representative ranking, a total of 279,971 scientist profiles were initially examined from a variety of bibliometric data sources covering all academic disciplines. Within this dataset, 1,000 scientist profiles specifically identified under Environmental Sciences were analyzed in detail.
To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist’s D-index had to be at least 30, with the majority of their tier publications demonstrably focused on Environmental Sciences. Additionally, consideration was given to each scientist’s awards and notable achievements within the field. The D-index threshold for identifying top researchers is adjusted in increments of 10 relative to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline, ensuring the ranking reflects the upper echelon—specifically the top 1%—of leading experts. Moreover, the methodology enforces a proximity criterion whereby the difference between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index does not exceed 30%, reinforcing the relevance of their contributions to the discipline.
Verification and Quality Assurance
The research team recognizes that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute measure of scholarly output. Consequently, all scientist profiles included in the ranking were manually verified and cross-referenced against an extensive range of trusted publications and sources. Although the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly affect a researcher’s ranking position, it serves as a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s contributions to Environmental Sciences.
The ranking positions are firmly based on each researcher’s D-index, computed from data aggregated primarily from OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most prominent and widely trusted bibliometric databases accessible to the scholarly community. Further details regarding the comprehensive methodology behind the ranking process can be found on our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, academic institutions, corporations, and policymakers worldwide to explore the evolving landscape of expertise in specific areas of study. By creating transparent and rigorously validated rankings, we aim to provide the global scientific community with an authoritative resource that identifies leading experts—whether at the national level, across disciplines, or within research institutions. This facilitates informed decision-making and fosters collaboration by showcasing research excellence where it matters most.
Our commitment to methodological rigor and meticulous data verification underscores the credibility and utility of these rankings for the advancement of science and society at large.
