Data Sources and Bibliometric Collection
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Plant Science and Agronomy Scientists in the Netherlands Ranking is grounded in a robust compilation of data primarily sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef, complemented by a variety of additional reputable bibliometric databases. The citation-based metrics employed to construct the ranking were meticulously gathered on January 12, 2026, ensuring the use of up-to-date and comprehensive bibliometric data. A scientist's standing within this ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a specialized metric that accounts exclusively for publications and citations pertinent to the examined discipline—in this case, Plant Science and Agronomy. This tailored measure provides a focused assessment of scholarly impact within the relevant field.
Scope of Research and Criteria for Ranking Inclusion
The ranking is derived from an extensive evaluation of 279,971 scientist profiles aggregated across a spectrum of bibliometric data sources covering all scientific disciplines. Within this broad pool, 106 scientist profiles were identified specifically under Plant Science and Agronomy. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist must possess a D-index of at least 30, with the majority of their tier publications concentrated in the Plant Science and Agronomy domain. Additionally, awards and other significant professional achievements in the field were considered to provide a more holistic view of each researcher's standing.
The threshold for the D-index is determined dynamically, set in increments of 10 relative to the estimated number of scholars in each discipline. This approach ensures that the top 1% of leading experts in the discipline are comprehensively incorporated. Furthermore, a proximity criterion is applied, requiring that the disparity between a scientist’s overall H-index and their D-index does not exceed 30%, thus reinforcing the relevance of their general scholarly impact to their domain-specific accomplishments.
Additional Verification Practices and Methodological Rigor
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone do not fully capture the breadth and depth of scholarly contribution, the Research.com team undertakes a rigorous manual verification of all scientist profiles included in the ranking. Profiles are carefully cross-correlated against publications listed in a wide range of trustworthy and authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and integrity. Although not a direct factor influencing the numerical positioning in the ranking, the quantity of publications in prestigious journals and recognized conference proceedings serves as an important secondary signal of a scientist’s contribution to the discipline.
The ranking’s foundation rests upon the D-index calculated from data supplied by OpenAlex and CrossRef — two of the most comprehensive and widely respected bibliometric databases accessible to the global research community. For a detailed exposition of the data acquisition, processing, and evaluation methods, readers are encouraged to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Agenda
At Research.com, our overarching mission is to empower researchers, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and policymakers worldwide by illuminating the trajectories of leading experts. Through this ranking, we aim to facilitate a transparent and accessible overview of who the foremost researchers are within specific scientific areas such as Plant Science and Agronomy, across different countries, and even within distinct research organizations. This initiative strives not only to recognize outstanding scholarship but also to motivate collaborative advancements by connecting the global scientific community with its top contributors.
