Conceptual citation differences in science, technology, and social sciences literature

摘要

This study examined three disciplines and the literature to determine if there were any differences in conceptual referencing patterns. Physics, engineering, and sociology were examined using the actual literature of the disciplines for the year 1984. Samples were drawn from major abstracting and indexing services. A Dunn planned comparison approach was used to test for differences. The results of the testing indicated that physics, engineering, and sociology all differ in terms of conceptual references. Two sub-tests were performed on the data. Total number of references were examined, indicating no difference between physics and sociology, but distinct differences between physics and engineering and between sociology and engineering. The second sub-test examined the number of references to literature within a 5-year span of publication. This second test indicated differences between physics and sociology and between physics and engineering, but no difference between sociology and engineering. Suggestions for further study are offered.