Measurement

Measurement represents the estimation of quantity relationships. The

classical concept of quantity was predicted in the work "Euclid's
Elements." The importance of measurement lies in precise, specific, and
objective determination of facts. As a consequence of quantitative
language and instruments, precise and specific determination arises,
while objective determination tells us not to rely on senses.
Measurement also entails the representation of perceptible objects
through numbers, enabling the application of powerful mathematical
tools. Numbers measure variables of a defined degree of a certain
attribute (e.g., Beaufort scale for wind strength (1-12), Mohs scale for
hardness (1-10), etc.). Once we have described facts in numerical
language, with these numbers, we can perform various operations and
arrive at new knowledge (the obtained results allow the application of
methods of mathematical analysis). Numbers representing individuals in
a group obtained by counting represent an unchanging property of that
group. The answer to the question "How much?" enables us to formulate
specific principles about that group that can be unequivocally confirmed
or refuted. Moreover, very few investigations can be carried out
completely without the introduction of quantitative methods (the basics
of applied mathematics must not be omitted). Progress in natural and
social sciences would not be possible without measurement. Sociology
and psychology would not be able to develop without the use of
quantitative methods - measurement. Numbers have three different
applications:

1. Identifying marks (Example: In competitions, participants are

marked with specific numbers; a participant marked with number 5
is not necessarily better (performance quality, etc.) than the one
marked with number 111).
2. Position of a quality's degree in a series of degrees (more
significant application in science (scales, rankings)).
3. Signs indicating quantitative relationships between attributes
(answering the question "How much?"). Measurements of length,
time intervals, area, and angles are performed in the same way. By
combining two objects with a specific property, we obtain an
 object with that property to a greater degree. This property that
can be added is called an extensive property. The minimum
conditions for using numbers for measuring qualitative differences
are:
 If a set of objects is given, we must arrange them in a sequence
according to a certain attribute (the relation must be asymmetric,
not valid in the opposite direction).
 Transitivity of the relation (transitivity) - deriving a third member
from the other two that have one identical member. These two
conditions are sufficient for measuring intensive qualities; they are
necessary but not sufficient for extensive measurement.
Measurement standards have developed based on community
criteria. Measurement units are derived from historical agreements.
Laws regulating measurement were originally developed to
prevent fraud in trade. Measurement units are generally defined on
a scientific basis and established through international agreements.
Laws that play a significant role in scientific research are numerical
laws. They represent unchanging relationships between physical
properties. The discovery of numerical relationships allows us to
measure many intensive properties. Science works on connecting
various numerical laws, aiming for more general unchanging laws
that will explain many characteristics of a phenomenon. Errors that
occur during measurement are mostly of a technical nature in most
cases. These can include instrument malfunction and imprecision,
measurement procedures, conditions under which measurements
are taken, as well as mishandling, ignorance, and biases among
individuals measuring a particular phenomenon, object, and more.
If the groups (objects, people, etc.) being studied are large in
number, the probability of error increases.