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The future of single-authored papers

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Abstract

The fractions of single-authored papers in four science fields (astronomy, physics, chemistry, and biology) were determined at five-year intervals during 1975–2005. In each case the distribution is best fitted with an exponential function that never reaches zero, implying that single-authored papers will continue to be published in the foreseeable future. This is contrary to the prediction that they would become extinct.

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Correspondence to Helmut A. Abt.

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Abt, H.A. The future of single-authored papers. Scientometrics 73, 353–358 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-007-1822-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-007-1822-9

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