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"proxy measure"
I came across this expression in a coursebook within the consumerism context and I can't figure out its meaning. I've looked up the meaning of "proxy" but somehow it sounds strange here...
Thank you.
What kind of coursebook? What was the full sentence? We really do need context and background to be able to discuss your question. 👁 Wink ;)
Some things are hard to measure.
You can measure the National Income/head by taking the National Income figures and dividing by the population.
To use a proxy measure is to measure something you can measure in the hope of indicating the level of something you can't.
An example might help. How do you measure the level of dehumanizing civilization of a country? I was asked this question once. I suggested that by taking the level of monosodium glutamate (a preservative added often to junk foods) in the nation's diet, you could estimate the degree to which the country had departed from the simple natural way of life. I was suggesting using that as a proxy measure.
I remember a politician wondering how one could tell if certain ethnic minorities were loyal to Britain or to their country of origin. The suggestion was that by knowing what fraction of the population would support their country of origin, rather than England, in a cricket match between the two, one would have an idea of how loyal they were to their adopted country. The fraction supporting England was being suggested as a proxy measure of their loyalty. You took the measure by asking a representative sample and hoping they'd tell you the truth.
I'm not suggesting that these proxy measures were necessarily good measures, just putting them forward as examples to show what proxy measures are.
I'd say not. Estimated and Relative measures are different. You didn't ask about them.Thank you for your detailled explanation 👁 Smile :)
Just to double-check my understanding, could I translate to "an estimated/relative measure"?
I'd say not. Estimated and Relative measures are different. You didn't ask about them.
Yes, indirect is the right word. It's difficult to measure something, so you measure something else, which you can measure, and which is related to what you want really to measure.I re-read your post. I guess a proxy measure is an indirect/alternative way of measuring something which is difficult to measure. Am I getting closer?
Yes, indirect is the right word. It's difficult to measure something, so you measure something else, which you can measure, and which is related to what you want really to measure.
