Threshold rules built from m-of-n criteria inevitably generate continua rather than sharp boundaries.

Evidence

When one is using the m-of-n rule it is clear that there will be debates about whether the threshold is really a clear threshold or not. Should one make a big difference between 3-of-7 versus 4-of-7? Inherently, this way of doing things creates a continuum from 0-of-n to n-of-n. Quite naturally one speaks of a more or less severe disorder. — Gary Goertz, Social Science Concepts and Measurement, 1256

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains the m-of-n sufficiency rule and why it inherently produces gradations of severity rather than clean dichotomies.