A rational scale of critical editorial evaluation

JUN 01, 1967

Van Derck Fréchette

Ralph H. Condit

THE value of the criterion of minimum astonishment as a guide to scientific appraisal has been cited by Gilman. While Gilman deplores the quasiqualitative inexactness of the criterion he offers no hope for a quantitative treatment. However, the statement of the generalized principle together with epistemological considerations have led us to quantize the parameter fundamental to its quantitative treatment in the special case of editorial scientific comment.

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More about the authors

Van Derck Fréchette, State University of New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University.

Ralph H. Condit, University of California Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, Calif..

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