Here - Paul Barrett

Quantity and MeasurementThe Stevens (1951) categorisationof “measurement levels”Ratio ... in addition to the constraints of the ordinal andinterval measurement scales, ratio measurement possessesa true ZERO value. E.g. length, time, weight, absolutetemperature. Change of units of measurement does notchange any ratio formed by two points on themeasurement scale. Theories of MeasurementAssigning numbers to magnitudes –how might we do this?E.g. The ratio of 12kg / 6kg = 2.0Converting from kg to lbs = 26.4554 / 13.2277 = 2.0MGMT 740 – 825th March 2006 MGMT 740 – 826th March 2006 Theories of Measurement Theories of MeasurementOperationalismFrom Bridgman (1927). Concepts are synonymouswith a set of operations. Concepts have nomeaning other than in terms of the operationschosen to define them. Operationalism is actuallysubjectivism given another name. This theory ofmeasurement is perhaps most closely associatedwith the positivist philosophy of science - both ofwhich have been shown to be flawed in theirexplanatory power and argument.OperationalismFor example, an operationalist view is that jobsatisfaction is defined by the questionnaires andinterview methods we use to measure it. Boring’s(1921) famous adage is: “Intelligence is whatintelligence tests measure”. i.e. Intelligence isdefined by the measures we make on an IQ test.Dingle (1950) defined measurement as “anyprecisely specified operation that yields anumber”. This is obviously wrong. Why …MGMT 740 – 827th March 2006 MGMT 740 – 828th March 2006