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Measurement

Definition

The process of assigning numbers or labels to phenomena according to specific rules.

Example

A researcher wishes to identify whether there is a relationship between self-esteem and happiness. In order to measure these abstract concepts, the researcher uses questionnaires that allow the data to be quantified (e.g. Likert Scales).

Why It Matters

Measurement is how we turn ideas into data. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to study things like happiness, stress, or confidence in any meaningful way. Good measurement allows researchers to collect reliable information, compare results, and draw conclusions that are based on something more than opinion or guesswork.

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