Data Sources and Citation Metrics
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Psychology Scientists in Brazil Ranking is primarily based on comprehensive bibliometric data sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef, complemented by multiple other reputable data repositories. The citation-based metrics that underpin the ranking were meticulously collected on January 12, 2026, ensuring up-to-date and robust dataset coverage. A scientist’s position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined bibliometric indicator that exclusively accounts for papers and citation metrics pertinent to the examined discipline—Psychology in this case—thereby providing a focused measure of scholarly impact within the specific field.
Scope and Inclusion Criteria
The ranking’s scope encompasses an extensive examination of 279,971 scientist profiles drawn from an array of bibliometric data sources spanning all academic disciplines, with a focused subset of 31 psychologists identified for inclusion. To qualify for the Psychology-specific ranking, a researcher must have attained a minimum D-index of 30. Furthermore, the majority of their tier publications must be situated solidly within the domain of Psychology, ensuring disciplinary relevance. Awards and significant professional achievements within Psychology are also considered to complement the bibliometric evaluation.
The threshold for the D-index is calibrated incrementally by increments of 10, adjusted according to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline. This approach ensures that the top 1% of leading researchers are consistently incorporated into the list, providing a representative and elite selection of experts. Additionally, to maintain alignment between general research impact and disciplinary focus, a maximum proximity threshold of 30% is imposed between a scientist’s overall H-index and their D-index.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
The research team behind this ranking acknowledges the inherent limitations of raw bibliometric data as an absolute measure of scholarly output. Consequently, all scientist profiles included in the ranking have undergone manual verification. This process includes cross-correlation against publications listed in a wide range of trustworthy and domain-specific sources. While publication volume in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher’s position in the ranking, it is recognized as a valuable secondary indicator of scholarly contribution within Psychology.
The final ranking positions are established based on each researcher’s rigorously derived D-index, drawing from the authoritative data curated by OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most prominent and widely utilized bibliometric databases available to the global research community.
Readers seeking a deeper understanding of the methodological framework are encouraged to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and policymakers worldwide to closely examine emerging trends and directions taken by leading experts. We aim to provide the scientific community with transparent and reliable insights that identify top researchers within specific areas of study, geographic regions, and research institutions. Through this careful and meticulous ranking process, we strive to foster greater recognition, collaboration, and informed decision-making that advances the global science ecosystem.
