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This paper presents a summary of a survey of theoretical and experimental methods employed in the analysis and synthesis of acoustic systems. The work has been conducted under the sponsorship of the Office of Naval Research. Although primary emphasis has been placed on underwater acoustics, the survey has drawn heavily from related work in the fields of radar, optics, geophysics, radio astronomy, and electromagnetic communications. The conceptual model which has guided the program involves space‐frequency‐time interrelationships existing within information “fields.” Selection of analytical and experimental methods has been based on their relative utility and efficiency in specifying space‐frequency‐time interrelationships in order to (a) improve understanding of acoustic systems and processes and (b) improve capacity to perform specific functions. Morphological analyses of instrumentation which may be employed in exploring space‐frequency‐time parameters will be discussed.