This essay distinguishes several different kinds of measures of information from each other, noting that differences between them show that our pretheoretical concept of information is multiply ambiguous. Incremental information, conditional information, transmitted information, expected information, and deductive information are discussed. Ten…

This paper identifies the need for a new theory of information and develops a mathematical model which distinguishes between: (1) data, as directly observable facts; (2) information, as structured collections of data; and (3) knowledge, as methods of using information. The model is based on the ideas of the binary relational model and uses the…

This 440-item annotated bibliography presents a highly selected list of documents which focus on information theory applications to information science, information processing, or information systems analysis and design. The bibliography is arranged alphabetically by author and a subject/keyword index is provided.

British Columbia remained committed to its decision to host a world's fair (Expo 86) despite rapidly increasing deficit projections. Expo is examined as a prototypical example of the escalation of commitment. Theory is proposed that integrates determinants of escalation from several levels of analysis over time. (CJH)

A common functional relationship among Lotka's law, Bradford's law, and Zipf's law is derived. The proof takes explicit account of the sequences of observed values of the variables by means of an index. This approach results in a more realistic and precise formulation of each law. (Author/EM)

Views information as residual or catalytic form of energy which regulates other forms of energy in natural and artificial systems. Parallel human information processing (production systems, algorithms, heuristics) and information measurement are discussed. Suggestions for future research in area of parallel information processing include a matrix…

It is shown that there is no ambiguity in Bradford's theory of distribution. Starting with two basic postulates laid down by Bradford, a mathematical expression is derived such that its curve agrees with the experimentally plotted data for periodicals in fields of applied geophysics and lubrication. Five references are listed. (Author/EJS)

After discussion of the equivalency of the information laws of Bradford, Leimkuhler, Lotka, and Mandelbrot, aberrations from Leimkuhler's law (including "Groos droop" as encountered in practice) are studied. Other aberrations of Leimkuhler's law are explained, starting from generalization of verbal formulation of Bradford's Law. (18…

Discussion of problems with fuzzy subsets in document retrieval highlights attempts to invent a system of weighted fuzzy queries in which weights correspond to relative importance of each term in query as whole, and use of Kantor's Logic for Retrieval as an alternative to Boolean queries. Six references are cited. (EJS)

Expressing the need for a description of communication that is equally applicable to all the social sciences, this report develops a general model of the communication process based upon the principle of convergence as derived from basic information theory and cybernetics. It criticizes the linear, one-way models of communication that have…

Research on communication in counseling has identified/defined counselor communication behaviors which may affect client response and change. To further understand the pattern of interaction between counselor and client, transcripts of four initial interviews by Albert Ellis and two by Carl Rogers were analyzed for the pattern of responding within…

The purpose of the three papers included here is to describe and illustrate three methods of sequential analysis as they were applied to an analysis of an actual counseling interview between Carl Rogers and "Gloria." In "Markov Models in Process Research," Edward J. Heck applies a Markov model to the analysis of the…

This bibliography of current literature on information flow and transfer within organizations includes 99 references from information science, social science, management studies, and communication studies, of which 71 are annotated. The search tools used and journals included in the bibliography are listed separately. (CLB)

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…

Review of recent developments in statistical theories for social sciences highlights Haitun's statistical distributions, Laplace's "Law of Succession" and distribution, Laplace and Bradford analysis of book-index data, inefficiency of frequency distribution analysis, Laws of Bradford and Zipf, natural categorization, and Bradford Law and…