A new definition of measurement

Existing definitions of measurement presented by many scholars in metrology are presented and reviewed. A brief synopsis of advances in thinking about the nature of measurement is also presented. A new definition of measurement is proposed: “Measurement is an empirical process, using an instrument,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Measurement : journal of the International Measurement Confederation 2004-07, Vol.36 (1), p.101-109
Main Author: Ferris, Timothy L.J
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Existing definitions of measurement presented by many scholars in metrology are presented and reviewed. A brief synopsis of advances in thinking about the nature of measurement is also presented. A new definition of measurement is proposed: “Measurement is an empirical process, using an instrument, effecting a rigorous and objective mapping of an observable into a category in a model of the observable that meaningfully distinguishes the manifestation from other possible and distinguishable manifestations”. This definition is discussed in the light of the more recent developments in the conceptualization of measurement.
ISSN:0263-2241
1873-412X
DOI:10.1016/j.measurement.2004.03.001