The bibliometric data underpinning the citation-based metrics integral to this ranking were collected on January 12, 2026. A scientist’s position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that considers only those publications and citation counts within the scientist’s specific discipline. This discipline-focused approach ensures an accurate and meaningful assessment of scholarly impact tailored to Social Sciences and Humanities.
Scope and Criteria of the Ranking
An exhaustive examination was conducted involving 279,971 scientist profiles identified from diverse bibliometric data sources spanning all academic disciplines. Within this expansive cohort, 76 scientists specializing in Social Sciences and Humanities disciplines were specifically analyzed for this ranking.
To qualify for inclusion, a scientist was required to have a D-index of at least 30. In addition, the majority of their tier publications needed to fall squarely within the Social Sciences and Humanities domain. Recognition of awards and achievements pertinent to the Social Sciences and Humanities also factored into eligibility considerations.
The D-index threshold for identifying top researchers is calibrated incrementally by increments of 10, reflecting the estimated total number of scholars per discipline. This approach guarantees the inclusion of the top 1% of leading scholars within each field while preserving rigorous standards. Furthermore, a critical requirement is maintained that the proximity between a scientist’s general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index remains at 30% or less, ensuring strong alignment between their overall scholarly impact and their specialized contributions.
Verification and Methodological Rigor
The researchers responsible for this ranking fully acknowledge that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute measure of scholarly output or impact. Accordingly, every scientist profile included was meticulously manually verified and cross-checked against publications indexed across a broad spectrum of trustworthy sources.
While the number of papers published in high-impact journals and prestigious conference proceedings does not directly affect a scientist’s position within the Research.com ranking, it remains an important secondary indicator of their research contributions within their discipline.
The ranking itself is established exclusively using each researcher’s D-index as calculated from data aggregated from OpenAlex and CrossRef. These platforms consistently represent the most prominent bibliometric databases accessible to the global research community, reinforcing the reliability and credibility of the ranking outcomes.
For a detailed overview of the methodology applied in the creation of this ranking, please visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, academic institutions, policymakers, and industries worldwide to explore the trajectory of leading experts and the frontiers of scientific advancement. We aim to provide the global scientific community with transparent, data-driven insights that highlight the foremost experts in specific fields of study, be it within national boundaries, across disciplines, or among research institutions.
By delivering meticulously curated and rigorously verified rankings such as this, we endeavor to foster greater awareness, collaboration, and strategic development among stakeholders invested in advancing Social Sciences and Humanities research.
