A researcher’s position in the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that exclusively accounts for publications and citation data within the examined discipline, thereby providing a more precise measure of a scientist’s impact in the Social Sciences and Humanities domain.
Scope of Research and Eligibility Criteria
The ranking encompasses an extensive examination of 279,971 scientist profiles identified through various high-quality bibliometric data sources spanning all research disciplines. Specifically for the Social Sciences and Humanities field, 70 leading scientists were evaluated.
To qualify for inclusion in the ranking, a scientist must meet several criteria:
- A minimum D-index of 30 to ensure a high threshold of scholarly impact within the discipline.
- A majority of their tier publications must be concentrated in the area of Social Sciences and Humanities.
- Recognition through awards and notable achievements in the Social Sciences and Humanities field were also taken into consideration.
The D-index threshold for selecting top researchers is carefully calibrated as increments of 10, relative to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline. This design ensures that the top 1% of leading scholars within the Social Sciences and Humanities are represented. Additionally, qualifying candidates maintain a proximity of 30% or less between their general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index, reinforcing the discipline-focused nature of the ranking.
Verification Practices and Methodological Rigor
The Research.com team fully recognizes that raw bibliometric data alone cannot capture the complete research output of scholars. Consequently, all scientist profiles featured in the ranking underwent meticulous manual verification and cross-correlation against publications listed in a wide array of trustworthy sources. This multifaceted validation process enhances the accuracy and reliability of the final results.
While the number of publications in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly affect a researcher’s position in the ranking, these metrics serve as a valuable secondary indicator of a scientist’s sustained contribution to their area of expertise.
The ranking positions are established using each researcher’s D-index, calculated based on information derived from OpenAlex and CrossRef — two of the most prominent and widely validated bibliometric databases available to the global research community.
For a comprehensive overview of the data collection and evaluation methodologies employed, readers are encouraged to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision Behind the Ranking
Research.com is dedicated to fostering transparency and recognition within the global research ecosystem. The primary mission behind publishing this ranking is to motivate researchers, corporate entities, and policymakers worldwide to examine the trajectories of leading experts.
By identifying and showcasing the foremost scientists in specific fields of study, regions, and institutions, Research.com aims to provide the scientific community and stakeholders with a trusted resource to understand who the leading experts are, thereby facilitating collaboration, informed decision-making, and strategic investment in research and development.
