A scientist’s position within this ranking is determined by their Discipline H-index, referred to as the D-index. This metric accounts exclusively for publications and citations relevant to the examined discipline, providing a refined measure that captures impact within the specific field of Social Sciences and Humanities rather than overall scientific output.
Scope of the Ranking
The ranking is based on a rigorous examination of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across a wide spectrum of bibliometric data sources covering all academic disciplines. For the field of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1,XXX scientist profiles were specifically analyzed (note: please insert the exact number when available).
To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist must possess a D-index of at least 30, and a majority of their tier publications must be principally categorized within Social Sciences and Humanities. Additionally, awards and professional achievements in the relevant discipline were factored into the assessment to complement the bibliometric measures.
The D-index threshold applied to identify top researchers is calibrated in increments of 10 according to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline, ensuring that the ranking reliably captures the top 1% of leading experts. Furthermore, for consistency and to verify disciplinary focus, the difference between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index must not exceed 30%.
Verification and Validation Practices
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone cannot fully capture a researcher’s scientific contributions, the team behind the ranking has undertaken extensive manual verification processes. Each scientist profile was carefully reviewed and cross-referenced against publications in a broad array of trusted academic sources, ensuring accuracy and credibility.
Although the number of publications in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a scientist’s position in the Research.com ranking, it serves as an important secondary indicator of the researcher’s impact and contributions within the Social Sciences and Humanities.
The ranking positions are ultimately established using each researcher's D-index, based on the comprehensive and authoritative datasets provided by OpenAlex and CrossRef. These platforms are globally recognized as premier bibliometric databases, enabling a transparent and robust evaluation framework. For further details, readers are invited to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
Research.com is committed to motivating researchers, academic institutions, companies, and policymakers worldwide to gain insights into the trajectories and achievements of leading experts. By spotlighting the foremost scientists within specific disciplines, countries, and institutions, our rankings facilitate a greater understanding of scientific leadership and foster connections across the global research ecosystem.
Our mission centers on empowering the scientific community with transparent, meticulously curated information designed to guide strategic decision-making, collaboration, and recognition of excellence in research.
