A key metric utilized in determining each scientist's position within the ranking is the D-index (Discipline H-index). Unlike the traditional H-index, the D-index specifically reflects a researcher's impact within the examined discipline by including only papers and corresponding citation metrics related to Political Science. This focused approach aids in more accurately representing scholarly influence within the field.
Scope of Research and Eligibility Criteria
The ranking process began with the examination of 279,971 scientist profiles aggregated from a broad spectrum of bibliometric sources spanning all academic disciplines. From this extensive dataset, 53 scientists were identified whose primary research contributions pertain to Political Science. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist's D-index needed to be at least 20, ensuring a high caliber of scholarly output within the discipline. Additionally, the majority of their tier publications had to be situated within the area of Political Science.
Beyond bibliometric thresholds, consideration was also given to scientists’ awards and notable achievements directly related to Political Science, further reinforcing the qualitative aspect of the evaluation. The D-index threshold employed to filter top researchers is adjusted in increments of 10 relative to the total estimated number of scholars in each discipline. This adaptive thresholding guarantees that the list incorporates approximately the top 1% of leading experts in the field.
Moreover, to maintain disciplinary relevance and consistency, only researchers with a general H-index and D-index proximity of 30% or less were included. This measure helps ensure that the ranking reflects specialists genuinely influential within Political Science rather than those whose overall citation impact lies predominantly outside the discipline.
Additional Verification Practices
Understanding the limitations inherent in raw bibliometric data, the Research.com team undertook meticulous manual verification of all scientist profiles featured in the ranking. Each profile was cross-correlated with publications indexed in a wide range of authoritative and trustworthy sources to validate publication records and ensure accuracy.
While not a direct factor in the calculation of the D-index or a researcher’s position in the ranking, the quantity of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings serves as a valuable secondary signal of scholarly contribution within the discipline. This supplementary insight supports a more holistic understanding of a scientist’s impact in Political Science.
The final ranking positions are determined exclusively based on each researcher’s D-index as calculated from the data obtained via OpenAlex and CrossRef. These databases, recognized internationally, represent the most comprehensive and reliable platforms available to the research community for citation and publication metrics.
For detailed information regarding the methodology and validation procedures employed throughout the creation of this ranking, please visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Agenda and Mission
At Research.com, our mission extends beyond merely producing rankings; we strive to motivate researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to explore and understand the dynamics of expertise and innovation within various scientific domains. By identifying and showcasing leading experts in specific areas of study, across countries and research institutions, we aim to foster opportunities for collaboration, strategic funding, and evidence-based decision making.
This ranking serves as a reliable and transparent resource for the scientific community to recognize outstanding achievements in Political Science in Italy and to facilitate an informed dialogue around the future of political research.
