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Unit-15: Scaling and Measurement

of liquids in diluted form etc. similarly humans are capable in measuring the length, width, height, notes
capacity or weight.

15.1 Definition of Scales

for measuring various kinds of things, man uses various kinds of measurements and also gets
successful in definitely measuring them. But when the same task has to be done in reference to social
phenomenon then it seems very difficult and sometimes impossible because most social phenomenon
are abstract, complex and dynamic. for e.g. it is not an easy task to measure qualitative and abstract
things like a person’s thoughts, viewpoints, attitudes, faiths or beliefs etc. relating to a subject. still
accurate and correct measurement is the symbol of maturity and development of any science. that
is why it also becomes necessary for social science that it keeps on trying to make it so capable that
abstract social phenomena may also be measured correctly. Hence, in reference to social research by
scaling is meant that method of measurement through which qualitative and abstract social facts and
phenomenon may be given a quantitative form.

Notes Goode and Hatt has written, “scaling is a method of arranging a series of problem
units within processes, under an order.”

in other words, scaling methodologies are the processes of changing series of qualitative facts to
quantitative facts.

15.2 utility of scales

Capability of doing accurate and correct measurement is an indicator that how much progress a science
has done. this task is not easy for social science because it has to measure abstract and qualitative
phenomenons like attitudes, thoughts, and social conditions, social distances etc. their evident and
correct measurement is not possible. for e.g. it is not so easy to measure the sentiments of a Brahmin
towards harijans as much it to know the weight, length or width of a material thing. its main reason
is that most social phenomenon are not only complex but also dynamic and qualitative. their nature
being qualitative, their objective and quantitative measurement becomes a difficult problem.

Did You Know? Job of science is to accept the challenges of problems and obstacles
and social science has also done this because without developing
capacity to correctly measure the phenomenon it is not possible for
social science to maintain its scientific status.

else also, requirements and utility of scales is for all sciences and in form of a developing social
science, for sociology utility of scales is even more. This point will get further clarified by the following
description.
1. For Attaining Scientific Maturity: The first utility of scales is that they make science so capable
that they may correctly and credibly measure the phenomenons coming under their study subject.

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