A scientist's position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that evaluates scholarly influence strictly within the examined discipline—Plant Science and Agronomy in this case. Unlike conventional H-index calculations, the D-index exclusively incorporates publications and citations relevant to the specific research area, providing a more precise measure of expertise and impact within the discipline.
Scope of Research and Inclusion Criteria
The ranking compilation considered an extensive pool of 279,971 scientist profiles, identified from diverse bibliometric databases across all academic disciplines, establishing a comprehensive foundation. Of these, 9 scientists specializing in Plant Science and Agronomy in Slovenia were examined in detail. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, candidates were required to have a minimum D-index of 30, ensuring that only researchers with substantial contributions to the discipline were considered.
Moreover, a majority of a candidate’s tier publications needed to be situated firmly within the Plant Science and Agronomy domain, underscoring their commitment and prolific output in this specific field. Recognition of awards and other notable achievements relevant to Plant Science and Agronomy were also integral factors in the assessment process.
The threshold D-index values for identifying top researchers are calibrated in increments of 10, relative to the estimated total population of scholars within a discipline. This approach guarantees inclusion of the top 1% of leading experts in each field. Additionally, to maintain consistency and disciplinary focus, only scientists whose general H-index and D-index values exhibit a difference of 30% or less were considered, ensuring alignment between overall impact and discipline-specific influence.
Additional Verification Practices
We acknowledge that raw bibliometric data, while invaluable, is never intended to serve as an absolute or sole instrument for evaluating scholarly output. Accordingly, all scientist profiles featured in this ranking underwent rigorous manual verification. Each profile was cross-referenced against a broad spectrum of trustworthy sources to corroborate publication records, citation counts, and other scholarly contributions with the highest possible accuracy.
While not directly influencing the rank position, the volume of publications in prominent journals and esteemed conference proceedings is acknowledged as a valuable secondary indicator of a researcher’s engagement and impact within Plant Science and Agronomy.
The final ranking positions are derived exclusively from D-index values computed using data from OpenAlex and CrossRef—recognized as the most prominent, accessible, and reliable bibliometric databases of their kind. To explore the detailed methodology governing this ranking, including data selection and metric computation, readers are encouraged to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
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We believe that illuminating the landscape of academic excellence not only celebrates outstanding contributions but also catalyzes innovation and elevates the quality of research worldwide.
