Math is back as Clarivate boosts integrity markers in Highly Cited Researchers list

Clarivate has significantly revised the methodology for its annual 'Highly Cited Researchers' list, implementing stricter criteria to combat citation manipulation and questionable publication practices. These changes, which include more comprehensive screening for excessive self-citation, retracted papers, and hyper-prolific authorship, resulted in the exclusion of 2,400 researchers this year and a reduced retention rate for previous honorees. Notably, mathematics has been reinstated as a category after a two-year hiatus, following the integration of new validation algorithms. These revisions underscore Clarivate's commitment to enhancing the integrity and reliability of its research metrics, a move that could bolster the credibility of its data products and services for institutional clients.

Analysis

Clarivate (CLVT) has significantly revised its "Highly Cited Researchers" list methodology, implementing stricter integrity filters to combat citation manipulation and questionable publication practices. These comprehensive changes, including rigorous screening for excessive self-citation and retracted papers, are now applied consistently across all researchers. The reintroduction of mathematics as a category for 2025, after a two-year hiatus, further underscores Clarivate's commitment to methodological robustness, validated by an independent algorithm.

This enhanced scrutiny led to the exclusion of 2,400 researchers this year, a notable increase from 500 in 2022, and reduced the retention rate of prior honorees from 70% to 60%. This shift aims to create "more space for new researchers" and improve the list's overall reliability. For Clarivate, these methodological improvements could bolster the credibility of its data products and services, particularly for institutional clients.

Geographically, the United States saw its share of highly cited researchers increase by 1 percentage point to 37% (2,670 researchers), reversing several years of decline, while China holds the second position with nearly 20% (1,406 researchers). The company's proactive measures to address "a rising tide of pollution in the literature" are critical for maintaining the perceived quality and trustworthiness of its intellectual property and analytics offerings.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Monitor CLVT's client retention and new business growth, as enhanced data integrity could attract more institutional subscribers to its research and analytics platforms.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of these methodological changes on Clarivate's competitive positioning, particularly in the academic and research intelligence market.
• Assess whether the improved credibility of Clarivate's metrics translates into increased demand for its broader suite of data and analytics products, potentially impacting future revenue streams.