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Path-Dependence in Measurement: A Problem for Coherentism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 October 2023

Morgan Thompson
Morgan Thompson*
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
*
Email: morganthompson28@gmail.com
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Abstract

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.

Type
Symposia Paper
Information
Philosophy of Science , First View , pp. 1 - 11
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Philosophy of Science Association

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