Data Sources and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Plant Science and Agronomy Scientists in Spain Ranking is constructed on a comprehensive bibliometric foundation. Primarily, data from the well-established databases OpenAlex and CrossRef were utilized, supplemented by multiple other authoritative data sources to ensure robustness and breadth of coverage. The bibliometric data underpinning the citation-based metrics employed in the ranking were collected as of January 12, 2026. Each scientist’s position in the ranking is derived from their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined bibliometric measure that exclusively considers publications and citation metrics within the examined discipline, thereby providing a focused and accurate reflection of disciplinary impact.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
To generate a meaningful and representative ranking, a total of 279,971 scientist profiles spanning all disciplines were initially examined using diverse bibliometric data sources. Within this comprehensive dataset, 318 scientists specializing in Plant Science and Agronomy were specifically identified and evaluated. Qualification for inclusion in the ranking required that a scientist maintain a D-index of at least 30, alongside a majority of their tier publications being firmly rooted within Plant Science and Agronomy. Furthermore, recognized awards and notable achievements within the field were also considered to enhance the assessment of each researcher’s scholarly contributions.
The threshold for the D-index to define top researchers is dynamically calibrated, increasing in increments of 10 relative to the estimated population of scholars within each discipline. This approach ensures that the ranking captures approximately the top 1% of leading scholars in the field. To maintain disciplinary relevance and focus, the proximity between a scientist’s general H-index and their specific D-index is constrained to 30% or less, ensuring that the ranking highlights experts with a significant concentration of impactful work in Plant Science and Agronomy.
Verification and Methodological Rigour
We recognize that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute measure of scholarly output or impact. As such, each scientist’s profile included in the ranking underwent meticulous manual verification. This process entailed cross-correlation of publication records with a broad spectrum of trustworthy and authoritative sources. Although the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings is not a direct factor in determining rank, it acts as a valuable secondary indicator of a researcher’s contribution to the specific domain.
Positions within the ranking derive from the D-index values calculated using data from OpenAlex and CrossRef—the most prominent and trusted bibliometric repositories currently accessible to the scientific community. Readers interested in a detailed explanation of the methodology and evaluation criteria are encouraged to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to empower researchers, corporate stakeholders, and policymakers worldwide by illuminating where leading experts are focusing their efforts. We strive to provide an authoritative platform for the global scientific community to recognize and connect with top-performing scientists in specific disciplines, countries, or institutions. Through the careful and meticulous creation of rankings such as this, we aim to foster a transparent, informed, and collaborative research environment that advances knowledge and innovation in Plant Science and Agronomy and beyond.
