Judgement in Measurement and Analysis

Abstract

True measuring scales behave in the same way as the real-life things that they are measuring. They also permit an estimate of the level of error in making a measurement, through calibration. Where these two characteristics are not present, then a purported measurement is not a true one. Numbering is not the same as measuring. Errors in measurement also propagate in calculations, but without a true measure we cannot tell how. There is no technical or statistical solution to this. When judging the trustworthiness of the findings from a piece of research, the quality of the measurement used is an important criterion. Without this knowledge, research cannot be trusted. Therefore, analyses and the trust placed in them must be based on appropriate judgement.