Does Measurement Measure Up?: How Numbers Reveal and Conceal the Truth
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.98 (754 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 080188375X |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 248 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-10-21 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
John M. Henshaw is a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Tulsa.
He clears away the fog on issues of measurement in the environment, such as global warming, hurricanes, and tsunamis, and in the world of computers, from digital photos to MRI to the ballot systems used in Florida during the 2000 presidential election. What could be more difficult to quantify than reasonable doubt? However, even our justice system is yielding to the measurement revolution with new forensic technologies such as DNA fingerprinting. We now find ourselves in the throes of a measurement revolution, from the laboratory to the sports arena, from the classroom to the courtroom, from a strand of DNA to the far reaches of outer space. But does all this measurement really measure up? Here, John Henshaw examines the ways in which measurement makes sense or creates nonsense. As we evolve from unquantified ignorance to an imperfect but everpresent state of measured awareness, Henshaw gives us a critical perspective from which we can "measure up" the measurements that have come to affect our lives so greatly
(John L. (James Napolitano, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) . (Choice)Best of 2006. (Luiz Henrique de Figueiredo MAA Reviews)Henshaw has a remarkable ability to explain complex mathematics in a manner accessible to general readers. Indeed, many of his points were personally engaging to me. The author's goal is to highlight the use (and misuse) of measurement in everyday life, a question I have pondered myself on many occasions. (Scitech Book News)Well written, entertaining, and informative. (Library Journal)It is easy to read, and Henshaw has a pleasant style of throwing himself into the action. (Terry Ishihara Science Books a
Luther said What's wrong with IQ?. Like the other reviewers, with the exception of one chapter, I enjoyed this book very much. Henshaw has the touch of writing about technical matters with great clarity. I found his chapter on the environment and global warming especially balanced, unlike all the doomsa. "Reality of Measurement" according to Amazon Customer. A great explanation of the problems of measuring the unquantifiable. The layman's interests are served with real-world examples.. Christina Dulitz said A Good Collection of Stories about Data. As storyteller, the author provides numerous interesting, accessible stories on measurement throughout history (for instance, various methods used to determine the speed of light, plotting world-record marathon times by year, how to convey 'class size' at a university)