paper

A unified model for informetrics based on the wave and heat equations

arXiv:1008.2067

Abstract

The function g(r,t) = p(r+q)^(-β). e^(kt) is introduced as a basic informetric function describing the classical informetric laws (through its Mandelbrot part) and a time evolution. It is shown that this function is a solution of a wave-type and of a heat-type partial differential equation. It is suggested that our approach may lead to a description of informetrics in a partial differential equation setting, formally similar to that for well-known physical laws.

8 pages

A unified model for informetrics based on the wave and heat equations · wovepaper