Lotka's Law and Computer Science Literature

Abstract

An experiment to verify the satisfaction of Lotka's law, with the papers published in the area of computer science, is reported. It is seen that the estimates of this law deviate considerably from the observations. Need for further experiments to verify Lotka's law in the area of applied sciences and engineering is emphasized.

Determinants of faculty research productivity in information systems: An empirical analysis of the impact of academic origin and academic affiliation

“…Lotka developed the function using data from the hard sciences and established that the exponent a≈2. However, research shows that the actual ratios appear to be discipline specific (e.g., [RADHAKRISHNAN & KERNIZAN, 1979;VOOS, 1974]). Although these studies have examined related fields, only one [NATH & JACKSON, 1991] to our knowledge has tested the relatively new field of IS for its adherence to the Lotka distribution.…”

“…Many of these studies have attempted to predict productivity in IS and other fields from the perspective of bibliometric analysis in general as well as Lotka and other publication distributions in particular (e.g., [GUPTA & & AL., 1998;GUPTA & KARISIDDAPPA, 1996;NATH & JACKSON, 1991;RAO, 1980;RADHAKRISHNAN & KERNIZAN, 1979;VOOS, 1974]). …”

Patterns of Research Productivity in the Business Ethics Literature: Insights from Analyses of Bibliometric Distributions

“…Our study covers both the leading journals in the business ethics discipline, viz., Business Ethics Quarterly and Journal of Business Ethics. We use a comprehensive data set that includes all research Bino et al (2005) Economics a Estimated concentration pattern relatively more diffused than predicted Chung and Cox (1990) Finance Estimated and predicted patterns very close Accounting Estimated and predicted patterns very close Chung and Puelz (1992) Risk Management Estimated and predicted patterns very close Cox and Chung (1991) Economics Estimated and predicted patterns very close Gupta et al (1998) Physics b Estimated and predicted patterns very close Murphy (1973) Humanities Estimated and predicted patterns very close Radhakrishnan and Kernizan (1979) Computer Science Estimated concentration pattern relatively more diffused than predicted Schorr (1975) Map librarianship Estimated and predicted patterns very close Schorr (1974) Library Science Estimated concentration pattern relatively more diffused than predicted Subramanyam (1979) Computer Science Estimated and predicted patterns very close Voos (1974) Information Science Estimated concentration pattern relatively more diffused than predicted Worthen (1978) Medicine Estimated concentration pattern relatively more diffused than predicted a Studies only economics journals based in India. b Studies only physics journals based in India.…”

Bibliometric Research: History [ELIS Classic]

“…[94] It was decided to use this information in an attempt to verify Lotka's law. [94] It was decided to use this information in an attempt to verify Lotka's law.…”