Measurement and Interpretation of Beliefs: Comments

Abstract

Whether in systematic inquiry we get the knowledge we want quickly and efficiently enough, naturally depends on striking the proper balance in the many activities that make up its process. What is proper, unfortunately, we can only determine by knowing the relation between such activities and outcomes, which we do not. We do have, however, some pretty pleasing, common sense ideas about this relation, which generally seem to assist in reaching some set of preferred outcomes. One such an idea of course is the delineation, in the process of inquiry itself, of activities like theoryconstruction, datacollection, and measurement. Another well-known idea is that such activities in inquiry should go ‘hand in hand’, should balance, alternate and equal out. I will focus in my comments on the problem how, according to Wallsten, such ideas can hinder and help and possibly be overcome in the area of measurement of beliefs.