[IBM] A statistic that is content-free, or nearly so.
A measure derived via methods of questionable validity from data of a dubious and vague nature.
Predictively, having a social science number in hand is seldom much better than nothing, and can be considerably worse.
As a rule, management loves them.
See also numbers, math-out, pretty pictures.
social science number
n., //
[IBM] A statistic that is content-free, or nearly so. A measure derived via methods of questionable validity from data of a dubious and vague nature. Predictively, having a social science number in hand is seldom much better than nothing, and can be considerably worse. As a rule, management loves them. See also numbers, math-out, pretty pictures.