A MULTIDIMENSIONAL-ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC DYNAMICS .1. CASE-STUDIES OF MATHEMATICAL LOGIC IN THE 20TH-CENTURY

Authors
BERG J WAGNERDOBLER R
Citation
J. Berg et R. Wagnerdobler, A MULTIDIMENSIONAL-ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC DYNAMICS .1. CASE-STUDIES OF MATHEMATICAL LOGIC IN THE 20TH-CENTURY, Scientometrics, 35(3), 1996, pp. 321-346
Citations number
17
Categorie Soggetti
Information Science & Library Science","Information Science & Library Science
Journal title
Scientometrics → ACNP
ISSN journal
01389130
Volume
35
Issue
3
Year of publication
1996
Pages
321 - 346
Database
ISI
SICI code
0138-9130(1996)35:3<321:AMOSD.>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Sequences of empirical Lotka-like distributions of the publications of scientific areas are mapped into a multidimensional parameter space. On this basis a new definition of the notion of an epidemic phase of a discipline is introduced. A graphic representation of the parameter s pace along with results of an exponential regression analysis of the L otka exponent yield an image of the inner state of a discipline and re nders possible a prognosis. Examples, primarily from mathematical logi c, are described in detail. The notion of a scientific elite is discus sed and the hypotheses of Ortega, Merton, and Price are critically ass essed.