A scientist’s position in the ranking hinges on the D-index (Discipline H-index), a refined metric that accounts solely for publications and citation counts relevant to the specific discipline under examination. This ensures that comparisons reflect discipline-specific influence rather than overall citation volume.
Scope and Qualification Criteria
In developing this ranking, a total of 279,971 scientist profiles were reviewed from across all disciplines using a variety of bibliometric data sources. Within this broad scope, 23 scientists specializing specifically in the Social Sciences and Humanities were identified and examined in detail.
To qualify for inclusion, a scientist’s D-index needed to meet a minimum threshold of 30. Furthermore, the majority of their tier publications had to be within the Social Sciences and Humanities fields, reinforcing the discipline-specific nature of the ranking. In addition to bibliometric indicators, awards and notable achievements in Social Sciences and Humanities were also factored as supplementary criteria.
The D-index threshold itself is calibrated based on increments of 10 relative to the total number of scholars estimated for each discipline, with the explicit goal of encompassing the top 1% of leading scholars. Another key qualification condition was that the proximity between a scientist’s general H-index and their discipline-specific D-index should not exceed 30%, ensuring consistency and relevance within their primary research field.
Verification and Validation Process
Recognizing that raw bibliometric data alone cannot fully capture a scholar’s research output or influence, the Research.com team employed rigorous manual verification procedures. All scientist profiles were cross-correlated against publications archived in a wide range of trustworthy and authoritative sources. This process was designed to mitigate data inaccuracies and bolster the credibility of the ranking results.
While the number of publications in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly contribute to a researcher’s ranking position, it is acknowledged as a valuable secondary indicator of scientific contribution and engagement within the Social Sciences and Humanities.
The ranking placement is principally determined by each researcher’s D-index, derived from OpenAlex and CrossRef—two of the most prominent and trusted bibliometric databases available to the global research community.
For a comprehensive understanding of the methodology applied, we encourage readers to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Impact
Research.com is committed to fostering transparency and insight into the scholarly landscape by providing meticulously curated rankings that highlight leading experts across diverse scientific domains, countries, and institutions. Our mission is to motivate researchers, companies, and policymakers worldwide to explore emerging trends and outstanding talent. By enabling the scientific community to recognize who the foremost experts are in specific areas of study, we aim to facilitate informed collaborations, strategic decisions, and knowledge dissemination that advance global research excellence.
