Measurements are essential in various domains such as economic policy, environmental policy, education, and more. They provide us with data to make informed decisions and establish value judgments.

Real-world example: Measurement in education allows us to assess a student's progress, helping to determine what they have learned and how well they are doing.

Measurements significantly impact our world, from influencing actions to evaluating them.

Real-world example: Consider health metrics such as blood pressure or BMI. These measurements inform us about our health status and guide our decisions regarding lifestyle changes or medical treatment.

We must consider what we can measure and what we cannot. Certain things are easier to measure (business profit, student grades, economic growth), which can lead to these measurements having a disproportionate influence.

Real-world example: In education, “assessment drives learning,” which suggests teachers and students tend to focus on testable content, potentially overlooking valuable yet unassessable skills.

St George’s Medical School research (2005-2007) found an increase in the curriculum weighting of a subject led to increased student motivation to learn that subject.

Real-world example: If the consequences of a test are significant, students may put more effort into understanding that subject, as seen in medical education.