A researcher’s position within this ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that considers only those publications and citations pertinent to the specific examined discipline. This approach ensures that each scientist's impact is evaluated with respect to their contributions within the Social Sciences and Humanities.
Scope and Criteria of the Ranking
The ranking process began with an examination of 279,971 scientist profiles identified from a broad spectrum of bibliometric data sources, spanning all disciplines. From this extensive pool, 67 scientists specializing in the Social Sciences and Humanities disciplines were specifically evaluated.
To qualify for inclusion, a scientist must have demonstrated a D-index of at least 30, with the majority of their tier publications situated within the Social Sciences and Humanities domain. Additionally, notable awards and achievements in these fields were carefully considered as supplementary factors. The threshold D-index required for recognizing top researchers is calibrated in increments of 10 relative to the estimated total number of scholars within each discipline, ensuring that the top 1% of leading experts are consistently incorporated into the ranking.
Furthermore, attention was given to the relationship between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index, with a required proximity of 30% or less, reinforcing the focus on field-specific merit.
Verification and Quality Assurance Practices
The creators of this ranking recognize that raw bibliometric data alone cannot fully capture the quality and impact of a scientist's work. Therefore, every scientist profile was subjected to careful manual verification and was cross-correlated against publications indexed in a wide range of highly trustworthy sources. This rigorous process was designed to enhance the reliability and accuracy of the ranking.
While not directly influencing a researcher’s position, the volume of publications in prominent journals and respected conference proceedings serves as a valuable secondary indicator of the scientist’s research contributions within their discipline.
The final ranking positions are derived from the D-index values calculated via data from OpenAlex and CrossRef — currently the most prominent and widely trusted bibliometric databases accessible to the research community.
For a comprehensive overview of the methodology, please consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, academic institutions, companies, and policymakers worldwide to explore the trajectories of leading experts across disciplines. By providing transparent, rigorous, and meticulously curated rankings, we aim to facilitate the scientific community’s ability to identify and connect with top-tier researchers in specific fields of study, across various countries and institutions.
Through these rankings, we seek to foster collaboration, elevate scientific excellence, and empower stakeholders with actionable insights into the landscape of cutting-edge research worldwide.
