The duality of informetric systems with applications to the empirical laws

Abstract

Informetric systems are formalized in order to make them suitable for mathematical dual analysis: the duality of sources vs. items (sources being the objects that produce while the items are the objects that are produced). The special place of empirical laws, such as those of Bradford, Leimkuhler. Mandelbrot and Lotka, in this framework is indicated. The paper closes with a section on some of the fundamental problems in informetric systems: higher dimensions, time dependence and fractal aspects.