Results of data analysis on 470 journal titles illustrate complexity of the fuzzy set theory modeling process, which consists of three factors--number of missing issues, citations, circulations--and its limitations in making journal binding decisions. Procedures of research, data collection, and data analysis are discussed. Matrices are included.…

Introduces two data distortion methods (Frequency-Imposed Distortion, Frequency-Imposed Probability Distortion) and uses a Monte Carlo study to compare their performance with that of other distortion methods (Point Distortion, Probability Distortion). Indications that data generated by these two methods produce accurate statistics and protect…

Analyzes changing information values of journal article titles (measured by counting total number of words, number of keywords, and computing proportion of substantive words). Use of linear regression to determine change patterns for sample of titles from four selected journals, six library journals, and six miscellaneous journals (1951-1980) is…

This article adopts "citation approach" to distinguish interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary research (IDR) from monodisciplinary research and begins to descrie how IDR differs from other research. Ten-year citation histories were constructed for sample of 1981 "citation classics" (over-cited articles) and examined for…

Presents analysis of online search patterns within user searching sessions of National Library of Medicine ELHILL system and examines user search patterns on the CATLINE database. Data previously analyzed on MEDLINE database for same period is used to compare the performance parameters of different databases within the same information system.…

Investigates questioning behavior--the generation and formulation of questions--as an observable behavioral act reflecting information needs which proceeds from a series of cognitive processes produced by the "need to know." Statistical and linguistic analyses support the theory that the nature of information need can be discerned…

Results of study investigating human memory organization in processing of computer programming languages indicate that algorithmic logic segments form a cognitive organizational structure in memory for programs. Statement indentation and internal program documentation did not enhance organizational process of recall of statements in five Fortran…

Examines the elements involved in fitting a bibliometric model to empirical data, proposes a consistent methodology for applying Lotka's law, and presents the results of an empirical test of the methodology. The results are discussed in terms of the validity of Lotka's law and the suitability of the proposed methodology. (49 references) (CLB)

The Generalized Inverse Gaussian-Poisson Distribution is suggested as an all-embracing mathematical model for bibliometric frequency distributions. Twelve examples are given which show that the new model cannot be rejected by virtue of an objective chi-squared test. A mathematical appendix and 20 references are included. (Author/EJS)

New evidence on the validity of citation criteria as a measure for assessing the impact of scientific scholarship (based on a sample of 870 cancer research papers) shows that highly rated papers are more highly cited over the ensuing five years after publication. Thirty-seven references are listed. (EJS)

To test validity of cocitation studies as representations of intellectual structure, five-six years of aggregate cocitation data for 41 authors in macroeconomics and 49 authors in genetics of fruit flies were compared with independent judgments of interauthor similarity collected from 14 macroeconomists and 15 geneticists via a card-sorting…

Data from national survey of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in rural mental health services were used to conduct sociometric analysis of person-to-person communication. Structure of person-to-person communication network in terms of its connectedness, centrality, homogeneity, and differentiation is described, and strategies for…

Findings of empirical examination of author productivity data to determine conformity to Lotka's law indicate that: most data didn't fit inverse square function; two constants in Lotka's formulation (slope n, constant c) must be derived from observed distribution; inverse square law was special case of inverse exponential relationship. (37…

Group of 20 scholars attributed 29.3 percent of 437 references they had cited to one of seven motives, while describing motives for majority (70.7 percent) of references as combinations. Clustering of citer motives showed three groupings: (1) persuasiveness, positive credit, currency, social consensus; (2) negative credit; (3) reader alert,…

Reviews citation analysis literature and explores use of citation analysis to identify core journals and indicate disciplinary structure and interrelationships of journals reporting on reading research. Use of 1980 "Journal Citation Reports" data to generate criterion for selecting high impact journals and list of 33 core journals is…