The First 20 Years of Radiocarbon Dating

Abstract

A bibliography of the radiocarbon dating literature for the years 194868, which is in the process of compilation, is examined and a format is proposed. A survey of literature growth has also been undertaken. This enables projections of the numbers of publications referring to radiocarbon dating to be made. The estimated number of publications for the year 1978 is compared to literature retrieval obtained by interrogating eight relevant computer data bases. It is concluded that computer information retrieval is not satisfactory. Bibliographic control of radiocarbon dating literature would be best achieved by a bibliography dedicated to the subject and updated at regular intervals.