Data Sources and Bibliometric Information
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Social Sciences and Humanities Scientists in Italy Ranking is primarily based on comprehensive bibliometric data drawn from prominent databases including OpenAlex and CrossRef, supplemented by multiple other authoritative data sources. These sources provide extensive citation and publication metadata that underpin the evaluation process. The bibliometric data used to devise the citation-based metrics for this ranking were collected on January 12, 2026, ensuring that the dataset is both current and reflective of recent scholarly contributions.
A scientist’s position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that considers only publications and citation metrics pertinent to the examined discipline. This index allows for a focused assessment of a researcher’s impact within their specific field rather than their overall scholarly footprint.
Scope of Research and Qualification Criteria
The ranking is based on the evaluation of 279,971 scientist profiles identified across diverse bibliometric sources spanning all scientific disciplines. Specifically, 71 scientists specializing in the Social Sciences and Humanities were examined in detail. To qualify for inclusion in this ranking, a scientist's D-index had to be at least 30, with the majority of their tier publications originating from the Social Sciences and Humanities domain. In addition to bibliometric criteria, scientists’ awards and achievements related to Social Sciences and Humanities were also taken into account, reflecting a holistic appreciation of scholarly excellence.
The threshold for the D-index is dynamically adjusted in increments of 10, based on the estimated total number of scholars within each discipline. This approach guarantees that the selection captures the top 1% of leading researchers in the field. Moreover, to ensure disciplinary relevance, there is an established proximity criterion whereby the D-index must not deviate by more than 30% from the scientist’s overall general H-index.
Additional Verification and Methodological Rigor
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data cannot serve as an absolute measure of scholarly achievement, the research team meticulously performed manual verification of all scientist profiles. This included cross-referencing publications against a wide spectrum of trustworthy academic sources to validate accuracy and relevance. While not directly influencing the ranking position, the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings is considered a valuable secondary indicator of a researcher’s contributions within their discipline.
The final ranking positions are established based on the D-index, utilizing aggregated and cross-verified information primarily from OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most respected and widely utilized bibliometric databases within the scientific community. For a comprehensive overview of the methodologies employed in this ranking, readers are encouraged to visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Commitment and Mission
At Research.com, our mission extends beyond mere compilation of rankings. We strive to motivate researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to closely examine the trajectories and directions of leading experts in various disciplines. Moreover, we provide the global scientific community with transparent, accurate, and accessible knowledge about who the foremost experts are in specific areas of study, within different countries, and across various research institutions.
Through this meticulous and evidence-based approach, Research.com aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and informed decision-making that can advance science and scholarship globally.
