A scientist’s ranking position is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined variant of the traditional H-index that exclusively considers papers and citation data relevant to the specific discipline under examination—in this case, Plant Science and Agronomy. This metric ensures that only a researcher’s impact within the focused field influences their ranking.
Scope and Criteria of the Ranking
The ranking evaluation covered a total of 279,971 scientist profiles identified from diverse bibliometric data sources spanning all scientific disciplines. Within the discipline of Plant Science and Agronomy specifically, 106 scientists were scrutinized in detail.
To qualify for the ranking, scientists needed to meet the following criteria:
- A minimum D-index of 30.
- A majority of their tier publications concentrated within Plant Science and Agronomy.
- Recognition of awards and notable achievements pertinent to Plant Science and Agronomy was also considered as a qualitative factor.
The D-index threshold is dynamically set in increments of 10, calibrated according to the estimated total population of scholars in each discipline, ensuring that the ranking consistently captures the top 1% of leading experts. Additionally, the difference between a scientist’s overall H-index and their D-index is maintained at a proximity of 30% or less to guarantee disciplinary focus and balance.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
Recognizing that no bibliometric dataset can serve as an absolute measure of scholarly output, the Research.com team undertakes meticulous manual verification of all scientist profiles included in the ranking. This verification process includes cross-correlation of publication records against an extensive array of trustworthy sources to maximize profile accuracy and reliability.
While a researcher’s published papers in leading journals and conference proceedings do not directly contribute to their ranking position, these publications serve as a valuable secondary indicator of their research contributions within Plant Science and Agronomy.
The ranking itself is established using each researcher’s D-index derived from data gathered primarily from OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most comprehensive and widely acknowledged bibliometric databases available to the global research community.
For a more detailed explanation of the methodology implemented, we invite you to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers worldwide to track the trajectories of leading experts across disciplines and geographical regions. Through this ranking, we aim to provide the scientific community with a transparent and credible resource to identify who the foremost contributors are within specific fields of study, countries, or research institutions.
By illuminating these leaders, we endeavor to foster collaborations, inform strategic research investments, and enhance the global exchange of knowledge within the Plant Science and Agronomy disciplines and beyond.
