363
Glossary of Terms
attributes. The validity of a measurement is concerned with the
relations between the measurement and the theories and concepts
behind the application of the theory in which the measurement is
interpreted and made predictive. Specifically, validation of a measure of stability is the process of ensuring the measure is a proper
characterization (e.g., numerical) of the claim (i.e., trait) of stability.
Measurement is generation of conclusions about the observed
(Ferris 1997).
Measures: Measures are properties, traits, and attributes that are qualitatively and quantitatively determinable.
Mechanism: Mechanisms are the means by which objects and processes
change. The effect of a mechanism is to transform an input EMMI
into an output EMMI. A mechanism is that which operates in the
context of forces.
Mereology: The formulation and study of relations for parts and their whole.
Metastability: Metastable combinations of objects and processes are stable
for most practical purposes due to their long-lived properties and
traits. Yet the system theoretically is unstable as large disturbances
due to EMMI result in perturbations that show the more common
(nonemergent) characteristics of the objects and processes.
Method: A generalized set of specifications for accomplishing objectives,
from the perspective of the person designing or carrying out the
method. Method is the overall plan by which work progresses from
what one thinks they know to what others do not know.
Metrics: A metric is a convenient grouping of variables in which each variable is a partial determinate of a property, trait, or attribute. As such,
metrics are representative of perspectives that are used to appreciate
the difference between one instance or event and another instance
or event. Metrics represent the shared value of what the common
goal needs to be. Metrics determine how well work is proceeding
according to a set of measures (or measures in absentia, i.e., not present by direct observation, but acknowledged as significant), standards, and measurement theory. Metrics are not about trade-offs
between what best to do versus what is expedient. Metrics are used
to represent that state of being, the determinant of “how is it going?”
Metrics are not measurements, and measures are not metrics.
Milestone: An event that is recognized as significant.
Modal causality: Modal causality is the root cause of all events. Modal causality limits what is causally possible. Modal causality is the basic
source of events (the historical provenance) that provide the foundational causes from which local circumstances (proximate causality)
and the apparent most direct event (conditional causality) arise.
Model: A model is a relation or set of relations between variables that are
representative of an object or process (termed the objective part of the
model). A model is based on a value or a set of values and a principle
Glossary of Terms
attributes. The validity of a measurement is concerned with the
relations between the measurement and the theories and concepts
behind the application of the theory in which the measurement is
interpreted and made predictive. Specifically, validation of a measure of stability is the process of ensuring the measure is a proper
characterization (e.g., numerical) of the claim (i.e., trait) of stability.
Measurement is generation of conclusions about the observed
(Ferris 1997).
Measures: Measures are properties, traits, and attributes that are qualitatively and quantitatively determinable.
Mechanism: Mechanisms are the means by which objects and processes
change. The effect of a mechanism is to transform an input EMMI
into an output EMMI. A mechanism is that which operates in the
context of forces.
Mereology: The formulation and study of relations for parts and their whole.
Metastability: Metastable combinations of objects and processes are stable
for most practical purposes due to their long-lived properties and
traits. Yet the system theoretically is unstable as large disturbances
due to EMMI result in perturbations that show the more common
(nonemergent) characteristics of the objects and processes.
Method: A generalized set of specifications for accomplishing objectives,
from the perspective of the person designing or carrying out the
method. Method is the overall plan by which work progresses from
what one thinks they know to what others do not know.
Metrics: A metric is a convenient grouping of variables in which each variable is a partial determinate of a property, trait, or attribute. As such,
metrics are representative of perspectives that are used to appreciate
the difference between one instance or event and another instance
or event. Metrics represent the shared value of what the common
goal needs to be. Metrics determine how well work is proceeding
according to a set of measures (or measures in absentia, i.e., not present by direct observation, but acknowledged as significant), standards, and measurement theory. Metrics are not about trade-offs
between what best to do versus what is expedient. Metrics are used
to represent that state of being, the determinant of “how is it going?”
Metrics are not measurements, and measures are not metrics.
Milestone: An event that is recognized as significant.
Modal causality: Modal causality is the root cause of all events. Modal causality limits what is causally possible. Modal causality is the basic
source of events (the historical provenance) that provide the foundational causes from which local circumstances (proximate causality)
and the apparent most direct event (conditional causality) arise.
Model: A model is a relation or set of relations between variables that are
representative of an object or process (termed the objective part of the
model). A model is based on a value or a set of values and a principle