TY - JOUR
T1 - Path-Dependence in Measurement
T2 - A Problem for Coherentism
AU - Thompson, Morgan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), 2023.
PY - 2024/12/1
Y1 - 2024/12/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85210184647&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85210184647&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/psa.2023.147
DO - 10.1017/psa.2023.147
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85210184647
SN - 0031-8248
VL - 91
SP - 1467
EP - 1477
JO - Philosophy of Science
JF - Philosophy of Science
IS - 5
ER -
