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Physics, psychology and respectability

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Abstract

Opportunities for obtaining a quantitative measure of respectability for ideas in the physical sciences appear to be rather infrequent. A unique set of statistics is presented which demonstrates the respectability gained when a centuries-old psychological rationalisation for a rare natural phenomenon is replaced by a viable physical explanation.

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Keay, C.S.L. Physics, psychology and respectability. Scientometrics 23, 355–359 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02029803

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02029803

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