ABSTRACT
Although the term measurement is part of the common vocabulary used in everyday language, it is a narrowly defined concept within the context of adapted physical education (APE) research. In this chapter, we define measurement as the process of linking abstract concepts to empirical indicators rather than the more traditional view of assigning numbers to objects or events according to a given rule. This definition focuses more on measurement as the process and efforts utilized to obtain accurate information and make the best possible decision, rather than the simple act of collecting data. We illustrate five steps of the measurement process including (a) observation, (b) gathering data, (c) data reduction, (d) data analysis, and (e) interpretation of data. As a supplement to the measurement process, we address three common misconceptions on evaluating the accuracy of measurement within APE research.
