SIMBAD references

We discuss the ``angular size - redshift'' relation for compact radio sources distributed over a wide range of redshifts 0.011≤z≤4.72. Our study is based on a sample of 330 5 GHz VLBI contour maps taken from the literature. Unlike extended source samples, the ``angular size - redshift'' relation for compact radio sources appears consistent with the predictions of standard Friedmann world models with q₀≃0.5 without the need to consider evolutionary or selection effects due to a ``linear size - luminosity'' dependence. By confining our analysis to sources having a spectral index, -0.38≤α≤0.18, and a total radio luminosity, Lh<sup>2</sup>≥10<sup>26</sup>W/Hz (H<sub>0</sub>=100hkm/s/Mpc, q<sub>0</sub>=0.5 used as a numerical example), we are able to restrict the dispersion in the ``angular size - redshift'' relation. The best fitting regression analysis in the framework of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model gives the value of the deceleration parameter q₀=0.21±0.30 if there are no evolutionary or selection effects due to a ``linear size - luminosity'', ``linear size - redshift'' or ``linear size - spectral index'' dependence.