RD W3D1

3.1

Introduction

How we measure something is extremely important. Many times we take how things are measured for granted such as temperature, weight or speed. Measurement becomes more difficult as we move into the social sciences because many of the things we seek to measure are abstract.

For example, in the beginning of chapter five the author talks about how we measure poverty. It would seem to be a straightforward idea but it gets complicated as you try out different methods. Should poverty be some percentage, like half of what the average person makes or should it be what it takes to pay for the things we need to live?

Initial Post Instructions

For this discussion, you should choose a “hot topic” and describe how it is being measured, such as the example on poverty. Then talk about other ways it might be measured. Talk about the level of measurement that is being used. Also, think about the following questions: Is there a better way to measure it, what are the consequences of using this type of measurement, what is the history and reasoning for using this method? Finally, consider the reliability and validity of the measurement.