A scientist’s position within this ranking is determined based on their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that considers only the papers and citations relevant to the examined discipline—in this case, Environmental Sciences. By focusing on discipline-specific publications and citation performance, the D-index offers a nuanced evaluation of scientific impact within the field rather than across all areas indiscriminately.
Scope and Criteria of the Ranking
The ranking evaluates a total of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across a broad spectrum of bibliometric data sources and covering all academic disciplines globally. From this extensive dataset, 56 scientists specializing in Environmental Sciences in New Zealand were carefully examined. To qualify for inclusion in this ranking, a scientist’s D-index had to be at least 30, and a majority of their tier publications needed to be directly associated with Environmental Sciences.
Additionally, consideration was given to scientists’ notable awards and achievements specifically within Environmental Sciences. The D-index threshold is dynamically adjusted depending on the estimated number of scholars in each discipline, in increments of 10, to maintain calibration and relevance. Importantly, this approach ensures representation of the top 1% of leading scholars within the field. To enhance relevance, there is a requirement that the proximity between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index remains within 30% or less, underscoring a consistent research focus on the discipline.
Verification and Validation Practices
The Research.com team recognizes that raw bibliometric data alone can never serve as an absolute measure of a scholar’s research output and merits. Therefore, all scientist profiles included in the ranking were subjected to meticulous manual verification processes. These profiles were cross-correlated and validated against a wide array of trustworthy publication sources to safeguard against inaccuracies or misattribution.
While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly affect a researcher’s ranking position, it remains an important secondary indicator of scientific contribution. The ranking itself is firmly based on each researcher’s D-index as computed from data sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef.
For those seeking additional details about the comprehensive methodology employed in compiling this ranking, please visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
Research.com is dedicated to motivating researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to closely observe the trajectories of leading experts. Our mission is to provide a transparent and credible platform that enables the global scientific community to identify and recognize the foremost authorities in specific fields of study, across various countries, and within prominent research institutions.
By facilitating this knowledge exchange, we aspire to foster collaboration, excellence, and informed decision-making that can drive advancement in scientific research and its societal impact on an international scale.
