Measurement Theory and Practice [Hardcover]

David J. Hand (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 034067783X | ISBN-13: 978-0340677834 | Publication Date: September 29, 2004 | Edition: 1

We live in a world of measurements. Measurements, be they of length, speed, weight, temperature, intelligence, income, endurance, greed, gross domestic product, quality of life, unemployment or skill at a job, are all numerical manifestations of the extent of some underlying attribute. They reflect the reality around us – length and weight provide examples of systems that represent clear physical attributes. At the same time, measurements also define the reality around us – psychometric tests and price inflation constitute both the definitions and the procedures for measuring these concepts. Altogether, measurements are central to our modern world and our view of it. This book explores the nature of measurement, investigating its different kinds, how these kinds should be interpreted, and the legitimacy of their statistical manipulation. The procedures through which numbers are assigned to objects are described, and measurement in psychology, medicine, the physical sciences, and the social sciences are examined in detail. The ideas of measurement are so ubiquitous that we often fail to notice them; they are concealed behind a veil of familiarity. This book lifts the corner of that veil and, in doing so, shows that there are aspects of the familiar world that are occasionally puzzling, sometimes downright extraordinary, and often more intriguing than is generally believed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book is clearly the culmination of many years' work, and it deserves to be very widely read. -- Pulication of the International Statistical Instit 20050501 This I found thought-provoking and perhaps, slightly unorthodox examination of measurement over a wide spectrum. Psychologists of very different persuasions should find a lot to interest and stimulate. -- The Psychologist Volume 18 Nos 3 20050301 This book ought to be on every statistician's shelves and on those ofmany other scientists as well. The author concludes that "measurement is what distinguishes the civilized from the uncivilized". He is to be congratulated for this stimulating contribution to civilizing his fellow scientists. -- Nature Volume 434 20050303 Hand has produced a very useful book on the theory and practice of measurement from different disciplines including psychology. -- Qualitative Research in Psychology 2005 20050901

From the Back Cover

We live in a world of measurements. Measurements, be they of length, speed, weight, temperature, intelligence, income, endurance, greed, gross domestic product, quality of life, unemployment or skill at a job, are all numerical manifestations of the extent of some underlying attribute. They reflect the reality around us – length and weight provide examples of systems that represent clear physical attributes. At the same time, measurements also define the reality around us – psychometric tests and price inflation constitute both the definitions and the procedures for measuring these concepts. Altogether, measurements are central to our modern world and our view of it. This book explores the nature of measurement, investigating its different kinds, how these kinds should be interpreted, and the legitimacy of their statistical manipulation. The procedures through which numbers are assigned to objects are described, and measurement in psychology, medicine, the physical sciences, and the social sciences are examined in detail. The ideas of measurement are so ubiquitous that we often fail to notice them; they are concealed behind a veil of familiarity. This book lifts the corner of that veil and, in doing so, shows that there are aspects of the familiar world that are occasionally puzzling, sometimes downright extraordinary, and often more intriguing than is generally believed.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034067783X
• ISBN-13: 978-0340677834
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,757,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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