Are citations of scientific papers a case of nonextensivity

摘要: The distribution N(x) of citations scientific papers has recently been illustrated (on ISI and PRE data sets) analyzed by Redner (Eur. Phys. J. B 4, 131 (1998)). To fit the data, a stretched exponential ( ) used with only partial success. success is not complete because exhibit, for large citation count x, power law (roughly data), which, clearly, does reproduce. This fact then attributed to possibly different nature rarely cited largely papers. We show here that, within nonextensive thermostatistical formalism, same can be quite satisfactorily fitted single curve (namely, [0pt] available values x. consistent connection established Denisov (Phys. Lett. A 235, 447 (1997)) between this formalism Zipf-Mandelbrot law. What present analysis ultimately suggests in contrast Redner's conclusion, phenomenon might essentially one along entire range number