An institution's position in this ranking is determined by aggregating the D-index values (Discipline H-index) of all qualifying scholars affiliated with that institution, provided their primary publication area is within the domain of Medicine. The D-index considers exclusively publications and citation data pertinent to the specific discipline under examination.
Scope of Research and Inclusion Criteria
This edition of the ranking examines a total of 279,971 scientist profiles identified from a diversity of bibliometric data sources, with a focused analysis on 72,221 scientists whose research lies specifically in Medicine. To ensure rigorous standards, the minimum qualifying D-index threshold for each scientist was set at 70. Furthermore, a substantial majority of their high-impact publications had to fall within the Medicine discipline.
Beyond quantitative measures, scientists’ awards and achievements in Medicine were also factored into their evaluation. The D-index threshold for top researchers increases in increments of 10, adjusted for the number of scholars estimated per discipline, thus ensuring that the top 1% of leading scientists are meaningfully represented. To maintain disciplinary focus, the proximity between a scientist’s overall H-index and D-index must be 30% or less. Additional recognition of scientists’ awards and achievements further enriches the profile analysis.
Verification Practices and Ranking Integrity
Understanding that raw bibliometric data alone is insufficient as a definitive measure of scholarly output, the Research.com team complemented automated analyses with exhaustive manual verification. All scientist profiles underwent manual scrutiny and were cross-correlated against publications from a wide selection of highly trusted sources.
While the number of papers published in prominent journals and conference proceedings does not directly influence a scientist’s rank in the Research.com listing, their volume can offer a valuable secondary indicator of research contribution in a given field. Each researcher’s position within the ranking is derived from their H-index information as curated from OpenAlex and CrossRef—both considered among the most authoritative bibliometric databases in the academic community.
To explore the methodology in further detail, we invite readers to consult our methodology page.
Research.com Mission and Agenda
At Research.com, our mission is to inspire scientists, business leaders, and policymakers worldwide to keep abreast of the directions taken by top experts. We strive to facilitate the research community’s recognition of leading contributors within specific disciplines, across countries, and within research institutions. By offering transparent, data-driven rankings, we aim to empower institutions and individuals alike to make informed decisions and foster innovation in the field of Medicine and beyond.
Key Results of the 2024 Best Medicine Universities in Japan Ranking
- Top 3 institutions in Japan by number of leading scientists:
- University of Tokyo – 56 scientists
- Kyoto University – 50 scientists
- Osaka University – 50 scientists
- Globally prominent universities represented by top Medicine scholars:
- Harvard University
- Harvard Medical School
- Washington University in St. Louis
- McMaster University
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Oxford
- University of Bristol
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
- University of Cambridge
- Top 3 Medicine scholars worldwide:
- Prof. Walter C. Willett (Harvard University) – D-index: 411
- Ronald C. Kessler (Harvard University) – D-index: 332
- Meir J. Stampfer (Harvard University) – D-index: 330
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Statistical insights:
- The average total D-index for the top 5% universities is 16,901, compared to an average of 1,798 for all 875 institutions in the ranking.
- The average number of published Medicine articles by scientists at top 5% institutions is 82,045 versus an average of 9,438 for all universities evaluated.
- The average number of citations of researchers at top 1% universities stands at 17,279,971, while the global average for all 875 universities is 279,971.
Through exhaustive data curation, rigorous manual review, and methodical ranking procedures, the 4th edition of the Research.com Best Medicine Universities in Japan Ranking offers the research community an authoritative and credible reference to the most impactful academic institutions and scholars in Medicine for 2024.
