Measurement theory has only recently become recognized as a legitimate, specialized field of inquiry. This text covers a wide range of issues of central concern to contemporary measurement theorists, and a broad range of philosophical perspectives are represented. The formalist, representationalist approach defines measurement as the assignment of numbers to entities and events to represent their properties and relations. It also states that measurement theory is supposed to analyze the concept of a scale of measurement, describe various types of scales and their uses, and formulate the conditions required for the existence of scales of various types. Since this approach dominates contemporary measurement theory, the volume begins with essays by some of its leading architects. In order to allow for diverse points of view, the book also includes articles that attempt to broaden this approach, and several that even criticize the approach.

"Most mathematicians and statisticians should find something of interest in this collection, and...it will be a valuable source of references for those whose research interests include the logical foundations of probability. The essays could also be a useful source of material for class discussions, at a post-graduate level. This volume would be a welcome addition to any mathematical library."
—The Statistician

"...a very useful overview of the history, the chapters, and the issues involved....For those with a solid background in symbolic logic, mathematical theorems, and the philosophy of science, this book should provide a good glimpse of the direction and the nature of the contemporary debate regarding the numerical scaling of objects."
—Contemporary Psychology