Spring 2022 Colloquium Series - 18 November
Eran Tal, McGill University :: Measurement Outcomes as Best Predictors
Friday, March 18, 2022
Abstract: I argue for a view of measurement that treats measurement results (‘outcomes’) as predictors of patterns in data. The data in question may be records of instrument indications, such as thermometer readings, or future data, such as records of health outcomes. Not every predictor of a data pattern is a measurement outcome. Rather, successful measurement produces the best predictors in accordance with specific epistemic and practical criteria. Variations in these criteria account for differences among measurement approaches in the sciences. The best-predictor view clarifies, among other things, the justification for using measurement outcomes as evidence and the possibility of evaluating measurement accuracy
Talk will be held at the Burnaby Campus in room WMC 3510 from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Please note that attendance is restricted to SFU students, faculty, and staff. All attendees must be prepared to show vaccine passports.