Data Sources and Bibliometric Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Plant Science and Agronomy Scientists in Saudi Arabia Ranking is primarily grounded in comprehensive bibliometric data sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef, complemented by multiple other reputable data repositories. These platforms are widely recognized for their extensive and reliable scholarly metadata, facilitating robust citation analysis and researcher evaluation. The bibliometric data used to devise the citation-based metrics for this ranking were collected on January 12, 2026, ensuring currency and relevance.
A scientist's position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that considers only publications and citations pertinent to the examined discipline. This approach allows for a focused assessment of impact and productivity within Plant Science and Agronomy, avoiding distortion by unrelated research areas.
Scope of Research and Eligibility Criteria
The ranking process examined 279,971 scientist profiles identified from a broad spectrum of bibliometric sources, encompassing all scientific disciplines. Within the specific domain of Plant Science and Agronomy, 21 scientists were rigorously evaluated. To qualify for inclusion, candidates were required to have a D-index of at least 30, with the majority of their tier publications rooted firmly in the field of Plant Science and Agronomy. Additionally, scientists’ awards and professional achievements relevant to this discipline were factored into the evaluation.
The threshold for a scientist’s D-index is dynamically set as increments of 10, calibrated according to the total estimated number of scholars within each discipline. This methodology guarantees that the ranking captures the top 1% of leading scholars in Plant Science and Agronomy. Furthermore, to ensure discipline-specific focus, a sufficient proximity of 30% or less between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index is required, underscoring the relevance of their contribution to the specific field.
Verification and Methodological Integrity
Recognizing the limitations of raw bibliometric data as an absolute measure of scholarly output, the Research.com team implemented thorough manual verification procedures. Each scientist’s profile was cross-correlated against publications indexed in a wide range of trustworthy and authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and credibility.
While the number of publications in distinguished journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher’s rank, it serves as a valuable secondary indicator of their contribution and stature within the Plant Science and Agronomy community.
The ranking positions are established exclusively based on each researcher's D-index derived from data provided by OpenAlex and CrossRef, the foremost bibliometric databases available to the global research community. To review the detailed methodology underpinning this ranking, please visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, corporations, and policymakers worldwide to track emerging trends by identifying where leading experts in various disciplines are focusing their efforts. We aim to provide the entire scientific community with transparent, dependable access to information about top experts in specialized areas of study, across countries, and within academic institutions.
Through meticulous, data-driven processes and a commitment to comprehensive verification, this ranking empowers stakeholders to make informed decisions, fostering greater collaboration and innovation in Plant Science and Agronomy in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
