Each institution's position in the ranking is determined by the cumulative sum of D-indexes (Discipline H-index) for all ranking scholars affiliated with that institution whose main publication area is Economics and Finance. The D-index uniquely focuses on publications and citation data strictly within the examined discipline of Economics and Finance, avoiding conflation with contributions to other fields.
Scope of Research
To ensure the utmost accuracy and comprehensiveness, the ranking process evaluated 279,971 scientist profiles, identified from various leading bibliometric data sources. From this pool, 12,210 scientists specializing in Economics and Finance were meticulously analyzed. Eligibility for the ranking required each scientist to possess a D-index of at least 30, with the majority of their significant publications anchored within the Economics and Finance discipline.
Further, consideration was given to the awards and achievements of each scientist in Economics and Finance. The D-index qualifying threshold was dynamically set in increments of 10, relative to the estimated total number of scholars in each discipline, ensuring that the leading 1% of scholars worldwide were represented. An additional criterion stipulated that a scientist’s general H-index should exceed their D-index by no more than 30%, ensuring strong disciplinary focus. The integration of scientists' accolades alongside publication metrics enhances the holistic evaluation framework.
Verification and Quality Assurance
The Research.com team recognizes that raw bibliometric data alone cannot offer a complete picture of scholarly achievement. Accordingly, every scientist profile underwent a thorough manual verification process and was cross-referenced with publications from a vast range of trusted sources. While not a direct contributor to ranking position, the count of publications in prominent journals and leading conference proceedings is highlighted as an important indicator of research contribution.
Ranking positions are ultimately established based on each researcher’s H-index as reported by OpenAlex and CrossRef, which stand as the most reliable and comprehensive bibliometric databases presently accessible to the academic community. For full transparency regarding data collection, metrics calculation, and inclusion criteria, readers are encouraged to consult our methodology page.
Research.com’s Mission and Motivation
The creation of these rankings aligns with Research.com's commitment to empowering the global research community. Our mission is to inspire scientists, academics, business leaders, and policy makers by illuminating where the foremost experts in each discipline can be found. By cataloging and showcasing leading experts at the university, country, and global levels, we aim to facilitate knowledge exchange, foster collaboration, and support informed decision-making across the world.
Highlights from the 4th Edition Ranking Results
- Top three Canadian institutions by number of leading scientists:
- University of Toronto – 16 scientists
- University of British Columbia – 13 scientists
- York University – 6 scientists
- Internationally, the most prominent scholars in Economics and Finance represent:
Columbia University, University of Chicago, Harvard University, MIT, Imperial College London, Indiana University, Federal University of Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, and The Ohio State University.
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The top three scholars worldwide in Economics and Finance:
- Professor Joseph E. Stiglitz (Columbia University) – D-index of 191
- James J. Heckman (University of Chicago) – D-index of 181
- Andrei Shleifer (Harvard University) – D-index of 168
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Statistical highlights:
- The average total D-index for the top 5% of universities is 1,987, compared to 234 across all 584 institutions ranked.
- Scientists affiliated with the top 5% of universities have published an average of 6,674 articles in Economics and Finance, compared to 903 for all universities considered.
- The average number of citations for researchers at the top 1% of universities is 3,279,971, whereas the average across the entire ranking is 279,971.
Through meticulous data collection, transparent methodology, and rigorous verification, the 4th edition of the Research.com ranking offers a reliable and comprehensive overview of scholarly excellence in Economics and Finance among Canadian universities, while also situating Canadian achievements within the broader international context.
