Larroulet Philippi, Cristian (2026) Formative Constructs as Tailored Aggregates. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Aggregate constructs are prevalent in the social sciences; but they raise serious concerns. Here I focus on the concerns that have been aired in the “formative” versus “reflective” measurement debate: prominently, that formatively measured aggregate constructs lack a stable empirical meaning and that they are not internally coherent. Some methodologists suggest abandoning formative measurement altogether given these concerns. In contrast, I offer a novel way of conceptualizing formative constructs—as tailored aggregates—one inspired by the case of adaptedness in evolutionary biology. This proposal turns the two worries mentioned into unproblematic features and suggests proper uses for formatively measured aggregate constructs.

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Larroulet Philippi, Cristian clarrouletph@unimelb.edu.au 0000-0001-5793-4670
Additional Information:	PSA 2026
Keywords:	measurement, social sciences, formative measurement, reflective measurement, aggregated variables, fitness
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Psychology Specific Sciences > Sociology
Depositing User:	Cristian Larroulet Philippi
Date Deposited:	04 Jun 2026 14:02
Last Modified:	04 Jun 2026 14:02
Item ID:	29913
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Psychology Specific Sciences > Sociology
Date:	31 May 2026
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/29913

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