Zipf’s Law
has uses far beyond bibliometrics, according to this new paper by Richard J. C. Brown in The Analyst (2007, 132, 344 – 349):
The use of Zipf’s law in the screening of analytical data: a step beyond Benford.
“This study shows for the first time the effectiveness of Zipf’s law in screening analytical data sets for outliers, data formatting and data transcription errors, particularly when the data sets are small. In the case of pollutant concentrations in ambient air, the multivariate nature of the measurement, and the relationship between the measured values of these multivariant quantities are the characteristics that allow a Zipf’s law approach to data screening to be successful. Furthermore, it has been shown that Zipf’s law has advantages over other novel data screening techniques, such as Benford’s law, in terms of sensitivity and scope.”
The late Jeffrey Katzer would have been fascinated by this, I think.
Thanks for the additional information that I can use for my paper for Dr. Brown’s online research methods class. I’m comparing Zipf’s theory of least effort with Marcia Bate’s berry-picking method. Look what happens when you keep an eye on your professors. Beyond class, they continue to help you out!
Well, of course Dr. Brown will expect you to read it BEFORE citing!
(And it’s actually available via LORA and surprisingly easy to understand, by the way.)