Bibliometric data used to develop the citation metrics were meticulously collected as of January 12, 2026. A scientist’s position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), which captures the H-index calculated exclusively on papers and citation counts relevant to the specific examined discipline of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Scope and Criteria of the Ranking
To ensure a robust and meaningful assessment, a total of 279,971 scientist profiles were analyzed across all scientific disciplines using a variety of bibliometric data sources. For this specific ranking, the focus narrowed to scientists within the Social Sciences and Humanities, extracting 2,000 profiles pertinent to this domain.
Eligibility for inclusion required that a researcher demonstrate a minimum D-index of 30, and that a majority of their tier publications be published within the scope of Social Sciences and Humanities. In addition to bibliometric performance, awards and recognized achievements within this field were incorporated as supplementary evaluation criteria.
It is important to note that the D-index threshold is calibrated dynamically, increasing in increments of 10 according to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline. This approach is designed to ensure representation of the top 1% of leading experts within the ranking. Furthermore, candidates are vetted to confirm that their general H-index and discipline-specific D-index are closely aligned—exhibiting no more than a 30% discrepancy—to guarantee disciplinary focus and integrity.
Verification Practices and Secondary Indicators
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone cannot fully capture the breadth and quality of a researcher’s contributions, the team behind this ranking engaged in extensive manual verification of all scientist profiles. Each profile was cross-correlated against publications indexed in a wide range of trustworthy sources to authenticate authorship and disciplinary relevance.
While the formal ranking position is solely founded on the D-index as derived from OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most prominent and widely respected bibliometric databases—secondary indicators such as the number of publications in distinguished journals and reputable conference proceedings serve as valuable corroborative signals of scholarly impact within Social Sciences and Humanities.
For a detailed understanding of the methodology applied, including data gathering, processing, and ranking criteria, we encourage readers to visit our methodology page.
Research.com Agenda and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to motivate researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to engage actively with the trajectory of top-tier research expertise. We aim to provide the scientific community and allied stakeholders with transparent, credible access to identify leading experts in specific research areas, within countries, or even across individual research institutions.
This ranking is the culmination of careful, meticulous work designed to reflect the highest standards of academic rigor and integrity. By doing so, we contribute to fostering strategic collaborations, informed decision-making, and recognition of scientific excellence across the Social Sciences and Humanities in Oman and beyond.
