Lotka's Frequency Distribution of Scientific Productivity.

Abstract

In 1926, Alfred Lotka examined the frequency distribution of scientific productivity of chemists and physicists. After analyzing the number of publications of chemists listed in Chemical Abstracts 1907-1916 and the contributions of physicists listed in Auerbach's Geschichtstafeln der Physik, he observed that the number of persons making n contributions is about 1/n sq of those making one and the proportion of all contributors that make a single contribution is about 60%. Recently, investigators studying the applicability of 'Lotka's Law' to the humanities and to map librarianship may have misinterpreted Lotka's law and have concluded erroneously that the law applies to these fields. Corrected calculations indicate that Lotka's law does not apply. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1978
Accession Number
ADA054425

Entities

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  • Russell C. Coile

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  • Center for Naval Analyses

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  • Human Systems

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  • Applied Mathematics
  • Business Administration
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  • New York
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  • Snow Cover Descriptors for Reptiles and Their Illustrations.
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