Skip to main content

Measurement

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
  • 39 Accesses

Abstract

Measurement theory takes measurement as the assignment of numbers to properties of an empirical system so that a homomorphism between the system and a numerical system is established. To avoid operationalism, two approaches can be distinguished. In the axiomatic approach it is asserted that if the empirical system satisfies a certain set of axioms such a homomorphism can be constructed. In the empirical approach, empirical adequacy is established by aiming at accuracy, precision and standardization. Precision is achieved by least-squares-errors methods, accuracy by calibration and standardization by the involvement of independent theoretical and empirical studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   6,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   8,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Bibliography

  • Boumans, M. 2007. Measurement in economics: A handbook. Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eichhorn, W., and J. Voeller. 1976. Theory of the price index. Berlin: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, I. 1911. The purchasing power of money, 1963. New York: Kelley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, I. 1922. The making of index number, 1967. New York: Kelley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frisch, R. 1930. Necessary and sufficient conditions regarding the form of an index number which shall meet certain of Fisher’s tests. Journal of the American Statistical Association 25: 397–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frisch, R. 1926. On a problem in pure economics. In Preferences, utility, and demand, ed. J.S. Chipman, L. Hurwicz, M.K. Richter, and H.F. Sonnenschein, 1971. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haavelmo, T. 1944. The probability approach in econometrics. Econometrica 12: 1–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krantz, D.H., R.D. Luce, P. Suppes, and A. Tversky. 1971. Foundations of measurement. Vol. 3. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, R. 1976. Econometric policy evaluation: A critique. In The phillips curve and labor markets, ed. K. Brunner and A.H. Meltzer. Amsterdam: North-Holland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, S.S. 1959. Measurement, psychophysics, and utility. In Measurement. definitions and theories, ed. C.W. Churchman and P. Ratoosh. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Neumann, J., and O. Morgenstern. 1944. Theory of games and economic behavior, 1956. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Copyright information

© 2018 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Boumans, M. (2018). Measurement. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_1950

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics