On the Importance of Being Earnest About Measurement, OR, How Can We Be Sure That What We Know Is True?

Abstract

Reliable and valid measurements are essential in research and clinical practice in physical therapy. Despite our slowness in recognizing the importance of more scientific measurement, our profession has witnessed a recent surge of interest in studying and developing reliable and valid measurement techniques. The ultimate results of developing more sophisticated measurement instruments and further refining our measurement techniques will be more scientific practitioners and a greater body of scientific knowledge unique to physical therapy.