Information and scientific discovery: Shannon, Bayes and Leydesdorff

Henry Small ()
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Henry Small: Sci-Tech Strategies

Scientometrics, 2025, vol. 130, issue 6, No 3, 3127-3138

Abstract: Abstract Loet Leydesdorff pioneered in the application of Shannon’s information theory and Bayes’ theorem to scientometric data. He focused on word distributions in full texts and developing methods for both cross-sectional analysis and change over time in information theory terms. As an extension, or perhaps a deviation from his approach, I present an information theory treatment of theory-evidence agreement, showing how Shannon’s ideas on entropy can be applied to understanding scientific discovery and its relation to Bayesian confirmation.

Keywords: Shannon information theory; Bayes’ theorem; Philosophy of science; Theory confirmation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s11192-025-05325-y

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