A researcher’s position in the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index). This metric specifically evaluates academic output and citations within the examined discipline—in this case, Political Science—thus ensuring relevance and precision in the evaluation process by excluding publications outside of the discipline.
Scope of Research and Ranking Criteria
The ranking examines a total of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across a broad spectrum of bibliometric data sources covering all disciplines. From this extensive database, 1,150 scientists specializing in Political Science were analyzed in detail.
To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist’s D-index had to be at least 20, and a majority of their tier publications needed to be within the domain of Political Science. In addition to quantitative bibliometric thresholds, consideration was given to scientists’ awards and notable achievements within the field to capture qualitative aspects of scholarly excellence.
The D-index threshold for qualifying as a top researcher is calibrated in increments of 10 depending on the estimated total number of scholars per discipline. This methodology guarantees that the top 1% of leading scholars in Political Science are reflected in the ranking. Furthermore, to ensure specificity, the discrepancy between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index was limited to a maximum of 30%, reinforcing the discipline-focused nature of the evaluation.
Additional Verification Practices
The Research.com team acknowledges that raw bibliometric data alone cannot fully encapsulate the comprehensive impact and output of scholars. With this in mind, all scientist profiles included in the ranking underwent manual verification. Profiles were cross-correlated against an extensive range of trustworthy publication sources to confirm accuracy and relevance.
While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence the ranking position, this information constitutes a valuable secondary signal. It reflects a scientist’s broader contribution to the field beyond citation metrics.
It is important to note that the ranking positions are defined exclusively by each researcher’s D-index, as derived from data collected via OpenAlex and CrossRef. These platforms are the leading bibliometric databases used internationally for assessing scientific outputs with credibility and transparency.
For readers seeking a more in-depth understanding of the methodology behind the ranking, please visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to motivate researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to recognize emerging directions and leading expertise within various scientific disciplines. By providing a methodologically rigorous and transparent ranking system, we aim to facilitate greater visibility of leading experts—both internationally and within specific countries or institutions.
Through this ranking, the scientific community gains an invaluable resource to identify influential scholars in Political Science in Japan, fostering collaboration, innovation, and informed decision-making across academia, industry, and government sectors.
