Abstract

The paper surveys the current state of the theory of the fundamentalconcepts of measurement which is based on the model theory of logic. A brief review is given of the historical development of measurement theory. The model-theoretic definition of measurement is presented, together with a discussion of representation and uniqueness conditions. Nominal, ordinal, extensive and interval measurement structures are outlined. The classification of scale types and the problem of meaningfulness are considered. A survey is given of conjoint and derived measurement. A brief review is made of the applications of measurement theory. Consideration is given to the treatment of uncertainty. The setting-up of systems of scales of measurement for a domain of science and its relation to theories for that domain are discussed. It is argued that measurement as defined is related to other forms of symbolic representation such as is involved in computer data representation and natural language.