A scientist's position in the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that considers only those publications and citations pertinent to the examined discipline — in this case, Social Sciences and Humanities. This discipline-specific approach allows for a more precise assessment of a researcher’s influence within their field.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
In total, 279,971 scientist profiles identified from a variety of bibliometric data sources across all disciplines were examined. Within the Social Sciences and Humanities domain specifically, 115 scientists were rigorously evaluated to form this ranking.
To qualify for inclusion, a scientist’s D-index had to meet a minimum threshold of 30, alongside the requirement that a majority of their tier publications be within the Social Sciences and Humanities area. Additionally, scientists’ awards and achievements specific to this field were factored into the qualification process. The threshold for the D-index is dynamically set as increments of 10 relative to the estimated total number of scholars within each discipline. This method ensures the inclusion of the top 1% of leading scholars while maintaining rigorous standards.
Moreover, to ensure alignment between a scientist’s overall research impact and their discipline-specific contributions, there is a requirement that the proximity between their general H-index and their D-index be 30% or less, reinforcing the focus on field-specific excellence.
Verification Practices and Ranking Integrity
The researchers behind the ranking recognize that raw bibliometric data are not an absolute measure of scholarly output. Consequently, all scientist profiles underwent thorough manual verification and cross-correlation against publications registered in a wide range of trustworthy and reputable sources. This verification process was designed to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the ranking results.
While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly affect a researcher’s position in the Research.com ranking, it serves as a valuable secondary indicator of their scholarly contributions within the discipline.
The final position in the ranking is established using each researcher's D-index, calculated from data gathered primarily from OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most prominent and respected bibliometric databases available to the research community.
For an in-depth understanding of the methodologies employed, readers are encouraged to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission
Research.com’s mission behind creating this ranking is to motivate researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to track and understand the directions in which leading experts are advancing their fields. This ranking provides a transparent and authoritative means for the global scientific community to identify and become familiar with the foremost researchers in specific areas of study, across countries, and within leading research institutions.
Through this meticulous and carefully curated ranking, Research.com seeks to foster collaboration, innovation, and informed decision-making within the academic and research ecosystems.
