An introduction to the theory of mental and social measurements / by Edward L. Thorndike.

  • Edward Thorndike
Date:
1904
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: An introduction to the theory of mental and social measurements / by Edward L. Thorndike. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    20/232 page 4
    by the nimiber of the measures the average of which you are ob- taining : add the quotient to the chosen number/’ To secure full mastery of every procedure taught, this book will contain many model examples and sets of problems to be worked. The Application of the Theory of Measurements. A sense of when and how to use statistical methods is even more important than knowledge of the methods themselves. The greatest benefit, therefore, will come to those who in connection with every principle established in the text, call to mind some concrete case to which the principle should be applied. The insight into the actual use of the theory of measurement thus obtained may be increased by a critical examination of the samples of quantitative studies referred to in Chapter XIII. The Theory of Measurements and the Special Sciences. This book, as the title announces, deals primarily with the theory of mental measurements. But with a few exceptions the principles and technique which it presents are applicable to all the sciences which study variable phenomena. So far, indeed, physical anthro- pology has been the science to take the most advantage of them, and in medicine they will perhaps find their greatest usefulness. The illustrations occasionally, and the problems frequently, come from the biological sciences. If one alters the language and replaces the illustrations from the realms of psychology and social science by similar ones from economics, vital statistics, medicine, physiology, anthropometry or biology, as the case may be, he will find the prin- ciples to hold, with an occasional obvious modification to fit the special data. The descriptions of technical procedure similarly may, after a few obvious alterations, be applied to variable measurements in general. The Intrinsic Interest of the Theory of 3Iea.surements. The author may be permitted to express his hope that those who use the book will regard its subject matter as something more than a means to the end, convenient handling of measurements. One can use ingenuity in manipulating measurements as well as in devis- ing experiments; can use logic in working with measures as well as in working with evidence of a more impressive and dramatic sort.
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