Data Sources and Ranking Methodology
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Materials Science Scientists in Brazil Ranking is primarily constructed using comprehensive bibliometric data sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef, supplemented by multiple additional reputable data repositories. The citation-based metrics utilized to generate this ranking were collected on January 12, 2026, ensuring the most current and accurate assessment of academic impact. A scientist’s position within the ranking is determined using the D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that exclusively incorporates publications and citation counts pertinent to the Materials Science discipline under examination.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
The scope of this ranking encompasses an extensive evaluation of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across a wide array of bibliometric databases spanning all scientific disciplines. From this dataset, 65 scientists specializing in Materials Science were carefully assessed. To qualify for inclusion, a scientist was required to have a D-index of at least 40, with the majority of their high-tier publications concentrated in Materials Science. Additionally, their recognized awards and achievements in the field were taken into consideration.
The threshold for the D-index, used to identify top researchers within each discipline, is adjusted incrementally by 10 points based on the estimated size of the discipline’s scholarly population. This methodology ensures inclusion of the top 1% of leading experts while maintaining a meaningful disciplinary focus. Furthermore, a proximity criterion was applied stipulating that the difference between a scientist’s overall H-index and their Materials Science-specific D-index should not exceed 30%, ensuring disciplinary relevance in the evaluated output.
Additional Verification Practices
Understanding that raw bibliometric data alone cannot fully encapsulate a researcher’s scholarly impact, our team performed extensive manual verification of all scientist profiles. Each profile was cross-referenced against publications verified across numerous trustworthy sources to confirm accuracy and relevance. Although not a determining factor for ranking positions, the quantity of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings is acknowledged as a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s contributions within Materials Science.
Ultimately, the ranking positions are established based on each researcher’s D-index as calculated from robust data obtained from OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most prominent, widely recognized bibliometric databases in the research community. For comprehensive details on the methodology and data processing standards employed, we invite readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire and inform researchers, academic institutions, companies, and policymakers worldwide by illuminating where leading experts are advancing scientific frontiers. We provide a transparent and meticulously curated means for the global scientific community to identify and connect with top researchers in specific disciplines, countries, and research institutions. Through rigorous data analysis and diligent verification practices, we strive to uphold the highest standards of credibility and precision in our rankings, fostering a deeper understanding of expertise and excellence across the scientific landscape.
