Data Sources and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Materials Science Scientists in Brazil Ranking was constructed using comprehensive bibliometric data primarily gathered from OpenAlex and CrossRef, supplemented by multiple other reputable data sources. These databases offer extensive coverage of scholarly publications and citation records, enabling a robust foundation for citation-based metrics. The bibliometric data used to devise the citation metrics for this ranking were collected on January 12, 2026. A scientist’s position in the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that considers only papers and citation counts specifically within the examined discipline of Materials Science.
Scope of Research and Selection Criteria
The ranking is based on an analysis of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across a broad array of bibliometric data sources covering all scientific disciplines. Within this dataset, 65 scientists were specifically identified as active contributors to the field of Materials Science. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist’s D-index was required to meet a minimum threshold of 40, with the majority of their tier publications concentrated in Materials Science.
Additionally, scientists’ documented awards and achievements within the Materials Science community were factored into the evaluation process. The D-index threshold is set dynamically as increments of 10 relative to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline, ensuring that the top 1% of leading experts in the field are incorporated. Furthermore, a crucial qualification condition was maintained whereby there is a proximity of 30% or less between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index, ensuring discipline-specific impact is prioritized without significant deviation from their overall scholarly output.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute measure of scholarly impact, the Research.com team undertook meticulous manual verification of all scientist profiles. Verification included cross-correlation of publication records with an extensive range of trusted sources to authenticate the accuracy of data and verify relevance to the field of Materials Science. While the number of publications in prominent journals and conference proceedings was not a direct factor influencing ranking position, such metrics were considered valuable secondary indicators of a scientist’s research contribution.
The ranking positions themselves were established based on each researcher’s D-index derived chiefly from OpenAlex and CrossRef — the two most prominent and widely accepted bibliometric databases accessible to the global research community. For detailed information regarding the methodology guiding this ranking’s development, readers are encouraged to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission Behind the Ranking
Research.com's mission in creating this ranking is to inspire researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to examine the trajectories of leading experts. Our goal is to offer a transparent and authoritative means for the global scientific community to identify who the foremost specialists are in specific domains, across countries, and within academic or research institutions. By providing rigorously validated and transparent rankings, we strive to elevate awareness and foster collaboration within the field of Materials Science and beyond, supporting informed decision-making and the advancement of scientific knowledge.
