The Scientific Study of Subject Literatures

Abstract

The paper addresses fundamental questions concerning the nature, genesis, and function of a subject literature-all knowledge records pertaining to a subject. A generalizable notion of a subject literature is developed and discussed in the terms of object, content, and use, and their interrelationships. The main areas of a scientific study of subject literatures are indicated. Structural interpretation is shown to be a promising strategic assumption for basic theoretical efforts and analytic research. The results of such studies aimed at explanation are examined as to their practical significance.