Page 65 - The Importance of Common Metrics for Advacing Social Science Theory and Research

The Importance of Common Metrics for Advancing Social Science Theory and Research: A Workshop Summary
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Social Science Constructs

The second day of the workshop began with a session on the theory
of measurement and the identification and integration of three important
aspects of standardization: ontology, representation, and procedures. A
number of social science constructs were examined to better understand
when standardization of a scientific concept makes sense. The examples
illustrate a number of reasons for the lack of a standard measure: paucity
of scholarly interest, balkanization of fields, sparse data, and politics. Con-
sideration was given to rethinking incentives for researchers to work col-
laboratively on common measures that then improve and extend discourse.

THE THEORY OF MEASUREMENT

Norman Bradburn (National Opinion Research Center, University of
Chicago) began his presentation by defining measurement as the assignment
of values in a systematic and grounded way for some practical purpose.
Toward this end, three aspects are paramount: (1) ontology—a definition of
the quantity or category that identifies its boundaries, fixing what belongs
to it and what does not; (2) representation—a metrical system that appro-
priately represents the quantity or category; and (3) procedures—rules for
applying the metrical system to produce the measurement results. All three
must mesh properly to realize useful and proper measurement.
Beginning with the issue of ontology, Bradburn distinguished between
two kinds of concepts. The first are the more traditional, scientific concepts
that refer to specific features, such as age, minimum wage, etc. The second
are “Ballungen” concepts that sort things into categories based on a loose

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