Path-Dependence in Measurement: A Problem for Coherentism.

Racial discrimination is a multidimensional concept. Yet, subjective measures of racial discrimination focus on particular dimensions (interpersonal over institutional, attributable over ambiguously attributable). I argue that there is path dependence in the development and validation of subjective...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Philosophy of Science Vol. 91; no. 5; pp. 1467 - 1478
Autor principal: Thompson, Morgan
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Cambridge University Press Dec2024
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Racial discrimination is a multidimensional concept. Yet, subjective measures of racial discrimination focus on particular dimensions (interpersonal over institutional, attributable over ambiguously attributable). I argue that there is path dependence in the development and validation of subjective measures, such that existing scales prevent the development of scales that are better for some purpose. Path dependence can occur when researchers: (1) adopt a coherentist view of measurement, namely, in iteratively refining constructs and measures and (2) employ current psychometric validation practices. The main takeaway is that norms are needed to evaluate the initial refinement of the construct rather than taking it for granted.