A scientist’s position in the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a specialized metric that accounts exclusively for papers and citations relevant to the examined discipline—Plant Science and Agronomy in this case. This approach ensures that the ranking reflects a researcher's impact specifically within the targeted field rather than their broader scientific footprint.
Scope of Research and Selection Criteria
To create a robust and credible ranking, an initial pool of 279,971 scientist profiles across all disciplines was evaluated, with 280 scientists identified specifically within the Plant Science and Agronomy domain. For inclusion in the ranking, researchers were required to have a minimum D-index of 30, with a majority of their tier publications directly related to Plant Science and Agronomy. Likewise, relevant awards and professional achievements in this discipline were factored into the evaluation process.
The threshold for the D-index is established in increments of 10, calibrated according to the estimated population size of scholars in each discipline. This stratification guarantees representation of the top 1% of leading experts. Furthermore, to ensure disciplinary consistency and relevance, a strict criterion mandates that the difference between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index must be no greater than 30%, thereby confirming strong alignment between disciplinary impact and overall scientific influence.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
Recognizing the limitations of raw bibliometric data as a sole evaluative tool, the Research.com team undertakes meticulous manual verification of all scientist profiles included in the ranking. This verification involves cross-correlation with publications indexed in a wide range of trustworthy and authoritative sources to secure data integrity and authenticity.
While the number of publications in prestigious journals and conference proceedings is not a direct factor influencing rank position, it serves as a valuable secondary indicator of a researcher’s contribution and stature within the Plant Science and Agronomy community.
Ultimately, ranking positions are assigned strictly on the basis of the D-index derived from data provided by OpenAlex and CrossRef, reinforcing the ranking’s strong foundation in transparent and replicable bibliometric methodologies. For full details on the processes and criteria employed, readers are encouraged to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to motivate researchers, academic institutions, companies, and policymakers worldwide to follow the trajectories of leading experts in their fields. Through these rankings, we aim to provide the global scientific community with authoritative, data-driven insights into who the foremost contributors are in specific areas of study—including Plant Science and Agronomy—and within various countries and research institutions.
By doing so, we hope to foster collaboration, inform strategic research investments, and support evidence-based decision-making across the scientific ecosystem, ultimately advancing knowledge and innovation on a global scale.
