The “half‐life” of some scientific and technical literatures

R. E. Burton and R. W. Kebler

American Documentation, 1960, vol. 11, issue 1, 18-22

Abstract: A consideration of the analogy between the half‐life of radioactive substances and the rate of obsolescence of scientific literature. The validity of this analogy suggests the possibility of more accurate prognostications concerning the period of time during which scientific literature may be used and hence might help to guide the planning of library collections and technical information services.

Date: 1960
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