Data Sources and Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Plant Science and Agronomy Scientists in Costa Rica Ranking has been developed utilizing comprehensive bibliometric data primarily sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef, supplemented by multiple other reputable data sources. These databases provide extensive metadata on scientific publications and citations, ensuring broad and accurate coverage of research output within the discipline. The bibliometric data employed for calculating citation-based metrics were collected on January 12, 2026.
A scientist's position in this ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a metric designed to reflect the impact and productivity within a specific discipline—in this case, Plant Science and Agronomy. Unlike general citation metrics, the D-index accounts exclusively for publications and citation data pertinent to the examined research area, thereby enabling a more precise evaluation of scholars’ influence in their field.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
The ranking analysis encompassed a review of 279,971 scientist profiles across a wide range of disciplines, with a focused examination of 1,034 scientists identified specifically in Plant Science and Agronomy. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist must have a D-index of at least 30, and a majority of their tier publications must be categorized under Plant Science and Agronomy. Additionally, scientists’ awards and achievements within the discipline were assessed to provide a well-rounded evaluation of their contributions.
The threshold for the D-index is set dynamically, increasing in increments of 10 in accordance with the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline. This approach ensures that the selection process captures the top 1% of leading researchers for each field. An important criterion is the proximity of a candidate’s general H-index to their D-index, which must differ by 30% or less, ensuring relevance and consistency between the researcher’s overall and discipline-specific impact.
Verification and Validation Procedures
Recognizing the limitations of raw bibliometric data as an absolute measure of scholarly output, the Research.com team undertook an extensive manual verification process. Each scientist profile was carefully cross-checked against publications indexed in a variety of trustworthy sources to ensure accuracy and authenticity. While the number of papers published in prestigious journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher’s ranking, it provides a valuable secondary indicator of their contribution to the field and complements the citation-based metrics.
The research community can be assured that the ranking positions are established solely based on each scientist’s D-index, using information drawn from the most prominent bibliometric databases available—OpenAlex and CrossRef. For detailed insights into the full methodological framework applied to this ranking, readers are encouraged to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
The creation of this ranking aligns with Research.com’s broader mission to inspire researchers, organizations, and policymakers worldwide to monitor and understand the trajectories of leading experts. By providing transparent and rigorous assessments of scientific leadership, Research.com facilitates recognition of top scholars in specific disciplines across countries and institutions. This initiative ultimately aims to foster collaboration, inform strategic decision-making, and advance global scientific progress through heightened awareness of expert contributions.
