How dimensions and indicators combine is the decisive choice distinguishing measurement approaches

Evidence

There are numerous “?” throughout figure 2.1. These indicate concept structure or aggregation decisions. These aggregation decisions constitute a large part of the methodology and semantics of complex concepts. One must determine how the concept is structured: How do the secondary-level dimensions combine to form the basic level? Similarly, how do the numeric indicators combine to form the secondary-level attributes? These structure and aggregation decisions tend to differentiate approaches to conceptualization and measurement and I will devote a whole chapter to the mathematics and logic of aggregation within and across levels. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts and Measurement, 166

Categorization

• SEED: Angle: an essay on aggregation rules (AND/OR/weighted sums) as the hidden politics of index construction, e.g. why different democracy indices rank countries differently.
• ADDENDUM: Could extend the ‘Grafting & Growth’ piece’s theme of junctures/hybrid combining rules into a methodological register — how parts fuse into wholes.