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Measuring the non-existent: validity before measurement

Zhao, Kino (2023) Measuring the non-existent: validity before measurement. Philosophy of Science, 90 (2). pp. 227-244.

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Abstract

This paper examines the role existence plays in measurement validity. I argue that existing popular theories of measurement and of validity follow a correspondence framework, which starts by assuming that an entity exists in the real world with certain properties that allow it to be measurable. Drawing on literature from the sociology of measurement, I show that the correspondence framework faces several theoretical and practical challenges. I suggested the validity-first framework of measurement, which starts with a practice-based validation process as the basis for a measurement theory, and only posits objective existence when it is scientifically useful to do so.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Zhao, Kinokino_zhao@sfu.ca0000-0002-5252-6747
Keywords: measurement, scientific realism, validity, psychology, social science
Subjects: General Issues > Philosophers of Science
Specific Sciences > Psychology
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User: Dr. Kino Zhao
Date Deposited: 08 Jun 2023 12:50
Last Modified: 08 Jun 2023 12:50
Item ID: 22201
Journal or Publication Title: Philosophy of Science
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Official URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/philosophy...
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1017/psa.2023.3
Subjects: General Issues > Philosophers of Science
Specific Sciences > Psychology
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date: 17 February 2023
Page Range: pp. 227-244
Volume: 90
Number: 2
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22201

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