Data Sources and Bibliometric Information
The 5th edition of the Research.com Best Social Sciences and Humanities Scientists in Qatar Ranking is based primarily on bibliometric data obtained from OpenAlex and CrossRef, alongside multiple other reputable data sources. To ensure accuracy and consistency in the citation-based metrics used, all relevant bibliometric data was collected on January 12, 2026. The position of a scientist in this ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), which specifically considers only the papers and citation metrics associated with the examined discipline, thereby providing a focused and discipline-appropriate measure of scholarly impact.
Scope of Research and Eligibility Criteria
The ranking evaluates 279,971 scientist profiles identified from a diverse array of bibliometric data sources across all scientific disciplines, including over 2,000 scientists specifically from the Social Sciences and Humanities. To qualify for inclusion in the Social Sciences and Humanities ranking, a scientist must have a D-index of at least 30, and the majority of their tier publications must be within the Social Sciences and Humanities domain. Additionally, scientists’ awards and achievements relevant to this field are factored into the evaluation.
The threshold for the D-index is dynamically set as increments of 10, depending on the estimated total number of scholars within each discipline. This approach ensures the ranking consistently incorporates the top 1% of leading scholars within the respective field. Further, a scientist’s D-index must not deviate from their overall general H-index by more than 30%, maintaining a close alignment between their discipline-specific and general scholarly impact.
Verification Practices and Methodology Transparency
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone cannot serve as an absolute measure of scholarly output, the Research.com team meticulously conducts manual verification of all scientist profiles. These profiles are cross-correlated against publications indexed in a wide range of trustworthy and authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and validity.
While publication volume in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher’s position within Research.com rankings, it constitutes a valuable secondary signal of scholarly contribution and impact in a specific research area.
The ranking position is ultimately established using each researcher’s D-index, calculated from detailed information gathered from OpenAlex and CrossRef — the most prominent and well-known bibliometric databases of their kind accessible to the global research community. For a comprehensive understanding of the methodology, readers are encouraged to refer to our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission Behind the Ranking
Research.com's mission in creating this ranking is to motivate researchers, corporations, and policymakers worldwide to stay informed about the trajectories and contributions of leading experts. By providing transparent and rigorously curated insights, our goal is to enable the entire global scientific community to recognize who the foremost experts are in specific areas of study, across different countries, and within diverse academic institutions.
Through this ranking, we aim to foster collaboration, elevate scientific excellence, and support data-driven decision-making in research prioritization and investment strategies.
