A university's position within the ranking is determined by the aggregate D-indexes (Discipline H-index) of all scholars affiliated with the institution, provided that their primary area of publications is Engineering and Technology. Notably, the D-index reflects only publications and associated citation figures within the examined discipline, enabling discipline-specific and meaningful evaluation.
Scope of Research
In developing this ranking, 279,971 scientist profiles were evaluated from an array of bibliometric databases, with 50,429 researchers specializing in Engineering and Technology being specifically analyzed. To ensure quality and relevance, a D-index threshold of 30 was set for each scholar, alongside the prerequisite that a majority of their publications belong to Engineering and Technology.
Awards and achievements in Engineering and Technology were also integral to the selection criteria. Furthermore, the qualifying D-index threshold for top researchers is incrementally raised in steps of 10, contingent on the estimated total number of scholars in each sub-discipline, with the goal of encompassing the top 1% of leading scholars per area. To assure specialization, the difference between a scientist’s general H-index and their D-index cannot exceed 30%, maintaining a proximity margin or less. Once again, notable accolades and field-specific recognitions were also considered in the selection process.
Verification Practices
The editorial and researcher team at Research.com recognizes that raw quantitative metrics alone cannot capture the complexity and significance of scientific output. Accordingly, all scientist profiles and their publication data underwent manual verification and were cross-referenced with trustworthy sources across the global research landscape. While the quantity of publications in leading journals and conference proceedings is not a direct determinant in the Research.com ranking, it serves as a valuable auxiliary indicator of a scholar's contribution to their field.
The ranking position is strictly determined using each researcher’s H-index as established by data from OpenAlex and CrossRef. These platforms represent the most robust and widely acknowledged bibliometric resources currently available to the academic community. For a full description of the selection process and technical considerations, readers are encouraged to consult our methodology page.
Research.com Agenda
The goal of Research.com is to stimulate scientists, industry professionals, and policymakers globally to observe the trends and trajectories of leading experts. Our intent is to offer the research community clear and transparent insight into who the foremost authorities are in individual disciplines, at national and international levels, and within specific research institutions.
Key Results of the 2024 Ranking
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Top 3 U.S. institutions by number of leading Engineering and Technology scientists:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): 93 scientists
- Stanford University: 88 scientists
- University of California, Berkeley: 69 scientists
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Most eminent scholars in Engineering and Technology globally are affiliated with: Rice University, Pennsylvania State University, University College Dublin, HEC Montréal, Quaid-i-Azam University, Northwestern University, Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State Harrisburg, The University of Texas at Arlington.
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Top 3 individual scientists worldwide:
- Professor Frederick E. Shelton, Johnson & Johnson (United States): D-index 257
- Menachem Elimelech, Rice University: D-index 200
- Bruce E. Logan, Pennsylvania State University: D-index 163
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The average total D-index for the top 5% of universities is 2,073, compared to 305 for all 1,290 institutions included in the ranking.
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The average number of published Engineering and Technology articles by scientists at universities within the top 5% is 10,087, versus an average of 1,480 for all 1,290 ranked universities.
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The average number of citations of researchers affiliated with institutions in the top 1% is 1,279,971, compared to 71,259 for all 1,290 universities.
We believe these results reflect the diligence, rigor, and thoroughness that guided the creation of the Research.com Best Engineering and Technology Universities in the United States Ranking, offering researchers, academic leaders, and policymakers a reliable and valuable resource for evaluating research excellence.
