Measurement is a fundamental concept that underpins almost every
aspect of the modern world. It is central to the sciences, social
sciences, medicine, and economics, but it affects everyday life. We
measure everything - from the distance of far-off galaxies to the
temperature of the air, levels of risk, political majorities,
taxes, blood pressure, IQ, and weight. The history of measurement
goes back to the ancient world, and its story has been one of
gradual standardization. Today there are different types of
measurement, levels of accuracy, and systems of units, applied in
different contexts. Measurement involves notions of variability,
accuracy, reliability, and error, and challenges such as the
measurement of extreme values. In this Very Short Introduction,
David Hand explains the common mathematical framework underlying
all measurement, the main approaches to measurement, and the
challenges involved. Following a brief historical account of
measurement, he discusses measurement as used in the physical
sciences and engineering, the life sciences and medicine, the
social and behavioural sciences, economics, business, and public
policy. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from
Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every
subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get
ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts,
analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make
interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
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