A scientist's position within the ranking is determined by their D-index (Discipline H-index), a metric that reflects scholarly impact strictly within the examined discipline. The D-index includes only papers and citations related to the specific field under review, thereby ensuring discipline-specific relevance and comparability among researchers.
Scope and Criteria of Research Included
The ranking process examined 279,971 scientist profiles identified from a diverse array of bibliometric databases, encompassing all academic disciplines. Within this comprehensive dataset, 1,000 scientists specializing in Social Sciences and Humanities were specifically analyzed to compile the targeted ranking.
To qualify for inclusion, researchers were required to have a minimum D-index of 30, with the majority of their tier publications concentrated within the Social Sciences and Humanities. In addition to bibliometric performance, consideration was given to awards and achievements pertinent to this field, adding qualitative dimensions to the evaluation.
The D-index threshold for recognition as a top researcher is calibrated in increments of 10, reflecting the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline. This adaptive threshold ensures that the ranking consistently includes the top 1% of leading scholars. Moreover, to ensure alignment between overall research impact and discipline-specific excellence, scientists were required to maintain a proximity of 30% or less between their general H-index and their D-index.
Verification and Validation Practices
Recognizing the limitations of raw bibliometric data as absolute evaluative tools, the ranking team undertook thorough manual verification of all scientist profiles. This process included cross-referencing individual records against publications listed in a wide range of trustworthy and authoritative sources to enhance accuracy and credibility.
While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a researcher’s rank, it serves as a valuable secondary indicator of scholarly contribution and impact within a specific research domain.
The final ranking positions are calculated solely based on each researcher's D-index, utilizing data sourced from OpenAlex and CrossRef — the most prominent and widely trusted bibliometric databases accessible to the research community.
For a comprehensive understanding of the methodology underpinning this ranking, please visit our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Vision
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire researchers, corporations, and policymakers around the world to track the trajectories of leading experts across disciplines. We strive to provide the scientific community with transparent, data-driven insights into who the foremost authorities are in specific areas of study, within various countries, and even across academic institutions.
This ranking represents the culmination of meticulous data collection, rigorous verification, and thoughtful analysis, underscoring our commitment to advancing scholarly recognition and fostering global scientific collaboration.
