Data Sources and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Materials Science Scientists in Croatia Ranking is grounded in robust bibliometric data primarily sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef, supplemented by multiple other reputable data repositories. The citation-based metrics that form the backbone of this ranking were meticulously compiled on January 12, 2026. Each scientist's position is determined by their Discipline H-index (D-index), a refined metric that exclusively considers publications and corresponding citation data within the examined discipline of Materials Science. This precision ensures that the ranking reflects a researcher’s true impact and influence within their specialized field.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
For the development of this ranking, a comprehensive dataset was analyzed, encompassing 279,971 scientist profiles collected across a broad spectrum of disciplines. From this extensive pool, 1,000 scientists specializing specifically in Materials Science were identified and evaluated. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, each scientist was required to have a D-index of at least 40, ensuring that only researchers with substantial disciplinary influence are considered.
Additionally, a majority of the scholars’ high-impact publications needed to be within the domain of Materials Science. Awards and recognized achievements in the field also played an important role in validating a scientist’s standing. The threshold for the D-index is incrementally adjusted by 10 points relative to the estimated total number of scholars per discipline, thereby guaranteeing inclusion of the top 1% of leading experts. Furthermore, eligibility stipulates a proximity of 30% or less between a scientist’s overall H-index and their discipline-specific D-index, reinforcing the alignment of their research contributions within Materials Science.
Additional Verification Practices
We acknowledge that raw bibliometric data alone cannot provide a fully comprehensive evaluation of scientific output. Recognizing this limitation, all scientist profiles underwent rigorous manual verification and were cross-checked against a wide array of trustworthy publication sources. While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not influence ranking positions directly, it serves as a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s research contribution within Materials Science.
The established ranking positions rely on the D-index values ascertained from the consolidated data in OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most authoritative and widely accepted bibliometric databases accessible to the scientific community. To review detailed information on the methodology used in compiling this ranking, we invite readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers globally to monitor the trajectories of leading experts and foster a comprehensive understanding of top scientific contributors. By spotlighting leaders in specific research disciplines, geographic regions, and institutions, we aim to facilitate connections, collaborations, and informed decision-making throughout the scientific community. This ranking represents the culmination of careful, meticulous work dedicated to enhancing visibility and recognition of excellence within the field of Materials Science in Croatia.
