IQ、血圧、体重から税金まで、私たちはあらゆるものを計測しています。計測の単位や測定法などの歴史を振り返り、全ての計測の根底に共通する数学的枠組み、主な手法、そして課題について解説します。また歴史を振り返り、物理科学・工学分野、生命科学・医学分野、社会科学・行動科学、経済学、商学、公共政策といった異なるそれぞれの分野で、どのような計測・測定法が用いられているかを論じます。
  

• Explains the basic mathematical framework behind measurement
• Provides a brief account of the history of units and measurement
• Examines the application of measurement in the physical and life sciences, medicine, social and behavioural sciences, economics, commerce, and public policy

 
Measurement is a fundamental concept that underpins almost every aspect of the modern world. It is central to the sciences, social sciences, medicine, and economics, but it affects everyday life. We measure everything - from the distance of far-off galaxies to the temperature of the air, levels of risk, political majorities, taxes, blood pressure, IQ, and weight. The history of measurement goes back to the ancient world, and its story has been one of gradual standardization. Today there are different types of measurement, levels of accuracy, and systems of units, applied in different contexts. Measurement involves notions of variability, accuracy, reliability, and error, and challenges such as the measurement of extreme values.

In this Very Short Introduction, David Hand explains the common mathematical framework underlying all measurement, the main approaches to measurement, and the challenges involved. Following a brief historical account of measurement, he discusses measurement as used in the physical sciences and engineering, the life sciences and medicine, the social and behavioural sciences, economics, business, and public policy.