A scientist's position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a discipline-specific measure that considers only the scientist's publications and citation metrics within the examined field of Social Sciences and Humanities. This targeted approach ensures that the rankings reflect expertise and impact within the specific discipline under review, rather than general research output.
Scope of Research and Ranking Criteria
This ranking draws from an extensive pool of 279,971 scientist profiles identified through a variety of bibliometric data sources across all disciplines. From this pool, 59 scientists specializing in Social Sciences and Humanities were specifically evaluated. To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, candidates were required to meet a minimum D-index threshold of 30. Additionally, a majority of their tier publications had to be closely related to Social Sciences and Humanities, underscoring their active and significant contribution to this domain.
Selection also took into account awards and recognized achievements within the field to reflect broader scholarly influence beyond citation metrics alone.
The D-index thresholds set for identifying top researchers are determined incrementally in steps of 10, calibrated according to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline. This methodology guarantees the inclusion of the top 1% of leading researchers by discipline. Another key qualification demands that the proximity between a scientist's general H-index and their D-index should be no greater than 30%, ensuring that the D-index reflects a core focus in the discipline rather than a peripheral interest.
Verification and Validation Practices
The Research.com team recognizes that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute measure of scholarly output or quality. To assure accuracy and integrity, all scientist profiles featured in the ranking were manually verified. This meticulous process included cross-correlation of publication records against a wide range of trustworthy sources and databases.
While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings is not a direct factor in determining ranking positions, it is considered a valuable secondary signal indicating a researcher’s substantial contribution to their field.
Ultimately, the ranking positions are established based on each researcher’s D-index as derived from OpenAlex and CrossRef — the most prominent and widely recognized bibliometric repositories available to the scholarly community.
For detailed information on the comprehensive methodology used in constructing this ranking, please visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission Behind the Ranking
Research.com’s overarching mission in creating this and related rankings is to motivate researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers worldwide to engage with emerging trends and trajectories of leading experts in science. By providing a transparent and meticulously curated overview of top-performing scholars within specific disciplines, countries, and institutions, Research.com seeks to foster greater visibility and recognition of scientific excellence.
This effort supports informed decision-making and strategic collaboration across academia, industry, and government, ultimately contributing to the advancement of global research and innovation.
