CMN 3102 Lecture 4: Week 4 Measurements

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Communication
• Course: CMN 3102
• Professor: Philippe Rousseau

Document Summary

The process of systematic observation and assignment of numbers to phenomena according to rules. Measurement is a set of progressive, interdependent steps. To observe a phenomenon, we must have the ability to see or perceive the phenomenon. Once we know what the phenomenon is, we can determine a way to quantify it, following some form of established rule. In measurements, numbers are assigned to represent "things". It is important that the numbers and the things are isomorphic. As a speaker is presenting before us, we may rate them on a scale of 1-5 (low anxiety to high) on the basis of observed distracting mannerisms. Such ratings would be isomorphic with anxiety if distracting mannerisms were positively related to anxiety. Distracting mannerisms are more a product of habit and lack of experience in public speaking than of an internal state of anxiety. The assignment of numbers is arbitrary and meaningless in themselves.