Application Of Growth Models To Science And Technology Literature In Research Specialities

Abstract

The paper discusses the application of three well-known growth models, namelyexponential, logistic, and power to the growth of world literature in physics,chemistry, and electrical & electronic engineering research, as reflected ininternational databases in these three fields from 1907 to 1994. The growthmodels are classified and characterised on the basis of two growth-rate functionsas suggested by Egghe and Rao9. The methodology suggested by Egghe and Rao in identifying a growth model has been reviewed with the help of casestudies on the growth of literature in the three major fields. The results obtained through the analysis are not found to be in full agreement with the results expected using Egghe & Rao methodology. The present study emphasises the need to undertake more rigorous research on the time series data onpublications growth of various fields to test the utility of these growth rate functions.

http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dbit.22.2.3560