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The foundations of information science

Part II. Quantitative aspects: classes of things and the challenge of human individuality

Bertram C. Brookes

64, Abbots Gardens, London N2 0JH, UK

An outline history describes how man has extended the process of objectivization from everyday practicalities to modern science. Modern techniques of quantification awaited the adoption of the Hindu-Arab numerals and the creation of a calculus for their use. It is argued that the use of these numerals has provided analytical instruments which, though ideally adapted to the exploration and exploitation of the physical world, fail to capture important aspects of the individuality of response within groups which humans display in their social behaviour. New quantitative techniques more sensitive to these aspects are therefore needed in the social sciences. A numerical example is used to illustrate how frequency-rank statistics make fuller use of empirical informa tion in the social sciences than conventional statistics which, by using classes, discards information related to individuality.

Key Words: Information science • quantitative aspects.

Journal of Information Science, Vol. 2, No. 5, 209-221 (1980)
DOI: 10.1177/016555158000200502
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