> ... It is certainly an area which is open
> to dispute,
> but does not suggest a single ineluctible solution; Deming
> considers this
> and states there are no objective definitions, only operational ones.
Bravo for Deming! It is an important step forward for a statisticians to
recognise that statistics are the product of definitions. Usually
statistican regard statistics as the (objective) properties of populations.
Social scientists, and most of the refugee statisticians on this list, would
characterise the definitions used to produce statistics as artefacts rather
than as operational. 'Operational' implies that statisticians can control
the definitions. But social scientists would recognise that these
artefacts are social products, usually governmental or organisational
products.
Ray Thomas, Social Sciences, Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
Tel: 01908 679081 Fax 01098 550401 Email: [log in to unmask]
Post (home): 35 Passmore, Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes MK6 3DY
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