Production and use of information. Characterization of informetric distributions using effort function and density function

Abstract

Statistical regularities observed in the production or use of information have been studied for a long time. In this article we define an exponential informetric process to formalize these stochastic process. It is defined by combining an effort function with a density function. Without using the powerful results of Price on the cumulative advantages process this characterization clarifies the principle of least effort. Some links between statistical theory of information and some informetric distributions are enhanced.