Marcel J. Boumans

Utrecht University School of Economics

Pierson Professor History of Economics

Kriekenpitplein 21-22

Adam Smith Building

Utrecht, +31 30 253 7373 3584 EC

Netherlands

http://www.uu.nl/leg/staff/MJBoumans

SCHOLARLY PAPERS

56

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TOTAL CITATIONS
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Top 36,770

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20

Ideas:
“  Marcel Boumans is historian and philosopher of science at Utrecht University. His main research focus is on understanding empirical research practices in economics from a philosophy of science-in-practice perspective. He is particularly interested in the practices of measurement and modelling and the role of mathematics in social science. The first step in these practices is to make sense of the available data. Visualisations play an important role in this. His current research project 'Vision and Visualisation' focuses on how phenomena are shaped.  ”

Scholarly Papers (56)

1.

Econometrics: The Keynes-Tinbergen Controversy

Number of pages: 7 Posted: 17 Feb 2015 Last Revised: 28 Feb 2015
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 738 (74,376)
Citation 2

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econometric methodology, statistical signifiance, regression analysis, homogeneity, statistical testing

2.

The Secrets Hidden by Two-Dimensionality: Modelling the Economy as a Hydraulic System

MODELS: THE THIRD DIMENSION OF SCIENCE, S. de Chadarevian, N. Hopwood, ed., Standford University Press, 2004
Number of pages: 39 Posted: 01 Nov 2009
Mary S. Morgan and Marcel J. Boumans
London School of Economics and Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 380 (167,376)

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model, analogy, metaphor, simulation, economic system

3.

Survey on Recent Work in the History of Econometrics A Witness Report

History of Political Economy (Forthcoming)
Number of pages: 16 Posted: 26 Dec 2018
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 379 (167,900)
Citation 1

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history of econometrics, metaphors, scientific revolution, discipline, crediting, science practice

4.

Friedman and the Cowles Commission

Milton Friedman: Contributions to Economics and Public Policy, edited by Robert Cord and Daniel Hammond. Oxford University Press, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 20 Posted: 12 Nov 2013
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 364 (175,613)
Citation 1

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Cowles Commission, econometric model, econometrics, Marshallian approach, methodology, Milton Friedman, naïve model test, NBER, partitioning, simultaneous equations model, Walrasian approach

5.

A History of the Histories of Econometrics

HISTORIES ON ECONOMETRICS, Supplement, Durham: Duke University Press, 2011
Number of pages: 39 Posted: 27 Jan 2011 Last Revised: 31 Jan 2011
Marcel J. Boumans and Ariane Dupont
Utrecht University School of Economics and affiliation not provided to SSRN
Downloads 250 (261,060)
Citation 1

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econometrics, philosophy of science, discipline

6.

Measurement in Economics

HANDBOOK OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF ECONOMICS, U Mäki, ed., Elsevier, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 41 Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 237 (275,117)
Citation 1

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calibration, error, instrument, model, precision, scale, standard

7.

The Problem of Passive Observation

History of Political Economy, Vol. 42, No. 1, 2010
Number of pages: 36 Posted: 15 Feb 2010
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 201 (321,951)

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econometrics, experiment, causality

8.

The Two-Model Problem in Rational Decision Making

Rationality and Society, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 51 Posted: 24 Mar 2011
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 190 (339,243)

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information structure, model, Monty Hall problem, paradox, rationality, real-life situation

9.

Observations in a Hostile Environment: Morgenstern on the Accuracy of Economic Observations

A HISTORY OF OBSERVATION IN ECONOMICS, HOPE Annual Supplement, H. Mass, M.S. Morgan, eds., December 2012
Number of pages: 27 Posted: 03 Nov 2011
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 178 (359,847)

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experiment, inexact science, logical empiricism, Morgenstern, observation, social statistics

10.

Grey-Box Understanding in Economics

SCIENTIFIC STANDING: PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES, H.W. de Regt, S. Leonelli, and K. Eigner, eds., University of Pittsburgh Press, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 37 Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 170 (374,691)

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model, new classical economics, general equilibrium

11.

The Regrettable Loss of Mathematical Molding in Econometrics

MECHANISM AND CASUALTY IN BIOLOGY AND ECONOMICS, Hsiang-Ke Chao, Szu-Ting Chen, Roberta L. Millstein, eds., Springer, 2012
Number of pages: 20 Posted: 18 Feb 2012 Last Revised: 01 Sep 2012
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 152 (412,399)
Citation 1

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causal structure, econometrics, mathematics, mechanism

12.

Models, Measurement, and 'Universal Patterns': Jan Tinbergen and Development Planning Without Theory

History of Political Economy 2018 Supplement, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 15 Posted: 02 Oct 2017
Marcel J. Boumans and Neil De Marchi
Utrecht University School of Economics and Duke University - Department of Economics
Downloads 137 (448,276)
Citation 3

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Adelman, Chenery, Development Economics, Factor Analysis, Input-Output Analysis, Macroeconomics, Model, National Income Accounting, Planning, Tinbergen

13.

The Engineering Tools that Shaped the Rational Expectations Revolution

History of Political Economy Volume 52, Issue S1, Economics and Engineering, edited by Pedro G. Duarte and Yann Giraud, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 19 Posted: 28 Oct 2019
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 135 (453,552)
Citation 1

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Communication Theory, Control Engineering, Dynamic Programming, Information Engineering, Kalman Filter, Rational Expectations, Turing Machine

14.

Truth Versus Precision

LOGIC, METHODOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE: PROCEEDING OF THE TWELFTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS, eds., P. Hájek, L. Valdés-Villanueva, D. Westerstahl, pp. 257-269, King's College Publications, 2009
Number of pages: 13 Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 130 (467,685)
Citation 1

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laboratory, measurement, accuracy, precision

15.

Fisher's Instrumental Approach to Index Numbers

THE AGE OF ECONOMIC MEASUREMENT, HISTORY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY, ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT TO VOL. 33, pp. 313-344, Duke University Press, 2001
Number of pages: 32 Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 124 (485,312)

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index numbers, tests, axioms, measurement, instruments

16.

Visualisations for Understanding Complex Economic Systems

WAYS OF THINKING, WAYS OF SEEING, C. Bissell and C. Dillon, eds., Springer, 2011
Number of pages: 23 Posted: 28 May 2011
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 123 (488,405)

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analogy, intelligibility, model, simulation, visualisation

17.

Mathematics as Quasi-Matter to Build Models as Instruments

3rd VOLUME OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE IN A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE, M. Weber, D. Dieks, W.J. Gonzalez, S. Hartman, F. Stadler, and M. Stöltzner. eds., Springer, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 16 Posted: 30 Jan 2011
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 123 (488,405)
Citation 1

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model, experiment, quasi-matter, mathematics

18.

Fostering Trustworthy Information. Countering Disinformation When There Are No Bare Facts

Number of pages: 16 Posted: 17 Oct 2024
Utrecht University School of Economics, Utrecht University - School of Economics, University of Guelph, Exeter Centre for the Study of the Life Sciences, Utrecht University, CWTS, Leiden University and University of Bergen
Downloads 111 (535,076)

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disinformation, fact-checking, trust in science, uncertainty, validity

19.

Measurement and Error Problems (1800-1900) Buys Ballot and Landré’s Critique on the Method of Least Squares

THE STATISTICAL MIND IN MODERN SOCIETY - THE NETHERLANDS 1850-1940 - VOLUME II: STATISTICS AND SCIENTIFIC WORKS, I.H. Stamhuis, P.M.M. Klep, J.G.S.J. van Maarseveen, eds., pp. 179-197, Aksant
Number of pages: 20 Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 107 (542,543)

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measurement, method of least squares, meteorology, actuarial science

20.

Introduction to Mark Blaug - Rebel with Many Causes

Mark Blaug - Rebel with Many Causes, M. Boumans and M. Klaes, eds., Edward Elgar, 2013
Number of pages: 8 Posted: 08 May 2013 Last Revised: 22 Jul 2013
Marcel J. Boumans and M Klaes
Utrecht University School of Economics and University of Dundee
Downloads 99 (573,743)

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Mark Blaug, economic history, economic methodology, economics of education, development economics, economics of the arts, economic theory, history of economic thought

21.

When Evidence is Not in the Mean

Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science (CPNSS) Discussion Paper Series DP 76/05
Number of pages: 31 Posted: 17 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 90 (609,551)

Abstract:

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measurement, accuracy, precision, method of least squares

22.

The Role of Models in Measurement Outside the Laboratory

Number of pages: 9 Posted: 18 Apr 2012
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 89 (613,858)

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complex system, model, social science, uncertainty evaluation

23.

From Dirty Data to Tidy Facts: Clustering Practices in Plant Phenomics and Business Cycle Analysis

Leonelli, S. & Tempini, N. (eds.), Varieties of Data Journeys. Springer, 2019
Number of pages: 22 Posted: 05 Nov 2019
Marcel J. Boumans and Sabina Leonelli
Utrecht University School of Economics and Exeter Centre for the Study of the Life Sciences
Downloads 86 (627,085)

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business cycle analysis, clustering, data cleaning, Mary Douglas, gestalt, plant phenomics

24.

Analysis Without Theory. How the Statistical Research Group Shaped Milton Friedman’s Economic Methodology

Economists at War, edited by A. Dupont-Kieffer, S. Rivot, and R. Dimand HOPE Supplement 2024
Number of pages: 34 Posted: 28 May 2024
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 82 (645,040)

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Milton Friedman, methodology, Statistical Research Group, sequential analysis, Neyman and Pearson hypothesis testing

25.

Dynamizing Stability

HISTORY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY, ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT 'ROBERT SOLOW AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF GROWTH ECONOMICS, eds., K. Hoover and M. Boianovsky, 2009
Number of pages: 22 Posted: 18 Jul 2009 Last Revised: 16 Dec 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 82 (645,040)

Abstract:

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mathematisation, model, aggregation

26.

Progress in Economics

New Philosophical Perspectives on Scientific Progress, edited by Yafeng Shan. Routledge
Number of pages: 24 Posted: 22 Mar 2022
Marcel J. Boumans and Catherine Sophia Herfeld
Utrecht University School of Economics and Leibniz University Hannover
Downloads 81 (649,669)

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Business cycle model, functional progress, model building, template, transfer of knowledge

27.

Simulation and Economic Methodology

History, Methodology and Identity for a 21st Century Social Economics. Edited by Wilfred Dolfsma, D. Wade Hands, Robert McMaster. 2019. Routledge
Number of pages: 7 Posted: 05 Aug 2019
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 81 (649,669)
Citation 1

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explanation, simulation, rigor, Turing machine, Turing test

28.

Observations of an Expert

Number of pages: 59 Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 80 (654,451)
Citation 2

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expert, observation, model

29.

Haavelmo’s Methodology of Empirical Science Outside the Laboratory

Number of pages: 21 Posted: 18 Aug 2012
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 73 (688,830)
Citation 2

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causal law, econometric methodology, exact science, Frisch, Haavelmo, Tinbergen

30.

Flattening the Curve is Flattening the Complexity of COVID-19

History and Philosophy of Life Sciences, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 14 Posted: 03 Dec 2020
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 69 (710,382)
Citation 1

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compartmental model, epidemic control, reproduction number, shape of an epidemic curve, social distancing

31.

Graph-Based Inductive Reasoning

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 21 Posted: 05 May 2016
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 69 (710,382)
Citation 1

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expert judgment, graphical method, inductive reasoning, measurement, statistical method, visual cognition

32.

Suppes's Outlines of an Empirical Measurement Theory

Journal of Economic Methodology, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 12 Posted: 21 Jan 2016
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 59 (770,307)

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measurement theory, model of data, correspondence rule, Patrick Suppes

33.

Materials Selection in Economic Modeling

Number of pages: 16 Posted: 17 Feb 2023
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 58 (776,849)

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business cycle model, mathematical form, materials selection, model building, template

34.

Modeling Strategies for Measuring Phenomena In- and Outside the Laboratory

PROCEEDINGS OF EPSA09, H. de Regt, S. Okasha, S. Hartmann, eds., Springer, 2009
Number of pages: 12 Posted: 27 Jan 2011 Last Revised: 02 Feb 2011
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 47 (858,533)

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measurement, simulation, laboratory, model

35.

Pictorial Statistics

Exploring the History of Statistical Inference in Economics, edited by J. Biddle and M. Boumans. History of Political Economy, Supplement, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 14 Posted: 07 Dec 2020
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 44 (883,867)

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composite portrait, eugenics, familiarization, objectivity, trained judgement

36.

Visualising Ignorance

EASTS, East Asian Science, Technology and Society: An International Journal, 2019
Number of pages: 15 Posted: 05 Aug 2019
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 39 (929,252)

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Bank of England, fan chart, gestalt principles, homogenization, uncertainty

37.

Battle in the Planning Office: Biased Experts Versus Normative Statisticians

Number of pages: 31 Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics
Downloads 35 (968,787)

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evidence based medicine, rational decisionmaking, heuristics

38.

Secrets Hidden by Two-Dimensionality: The Economy as a Hydraulic Machine

MODEL: THE THIRD DIMENSION OF SCIENCE, pp. 369-401, S. de Chadarevian and N. Hopwood, eds., Standford University Press, 2004
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Mary S. Morgan and Marcel J. Boumans
London School of Economics and Utrecht University School of Economics

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metaphor, analogy, model, Phillips machine

39.

Battle in the Planning Office: Field Experts Versus Normative Statisticians

Social Epistemology, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 389-404, October 2008
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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Expert, Rationality, Bayesian Statistics, Evidence-Based Medicine

40.

Measurement Outside the Laboratory

Philosophy of Science, Vol. 72, pp. 850-863, 2005
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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measurement theory, laboratory, measuring instrument

41.

The Reliability of an Instrument

Social Epistemology, Vol. 18, No. 2-3, pp. 215-246, 2004
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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Accuracy, Calibration, Precision, Reputation, Secrets

42.

Tinbergen's Cycle: An Arithmetic Error

Econometric Theory, Vol. 11, 1995
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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business cycle, model

43.

Representation and Stability in Testing and Measuring Rational Expectations

Journal of Economic Methodology, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 381-402, 1999
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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measurement, rational expectations, ceteris paribus, models, laws, autonomy

44.

Paul Ehrenfest and Jan Tinbergen: A Case of Limited Physics Transfer

NON-NATURAL SOCIAL SCIENCE: REFLECTING ON THE ENTERPRISE OF MORE HEAT THAN LIGHT, Annual Supplement to Vol. 25, History of Political Economy, pp. 131-156, Neil de Marchi, ed., Duke University Press, 1993
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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analogy, physics, mathematisation

45.

Lucas and Artificial Worlds

New Economics and Its History, ed J.B. Davis, History of Political Economy, annual supplement to vol. 29 (1997), pp. 63-88.
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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AI, testing, model builidng

46.

Built-In Justification

MODELS AS MEDIATORS, pp. 66-96, M.S. Morgan and M. Morrison, eds., Cambridge University Press, 1999
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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model building, context of discovery, context of justification

47.

Ceteris Paribus Conditions: Materiality and the Application of Economic Theories

Journal of Economics Methodology, Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 11-26, 2001
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans and Mary S. Morgan
Utrecht University School of Economics and London School of Economics

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experiments, simulation, econometrics, modelling

48.

Measure for Measure: How Economists Model the World into Numbers

Social Research, Vol. 68, No. 2, pp. 427-453, 2001
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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models, macroeconomics, econometrics, measurement, instruments

49.

Calibration of Models in Experiments

MODEL-BASED REASONING: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, VALUES, pp. 75-93, L. Magnani and N.J. Nersessian, eds., Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publisher, 2002
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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calibration, experiment, reliability, materiality, instrument

50.

Macroeconomic Approach to Complexity

SIMPLICITY, INFERENCE AND MODELING, pp. 73-82, A. Zellner, H.A. keuzenkamp, and M. McAleer, eds., Cambridge University Press, 2001
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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macroeconomics. computer science, hierarchical systems, model building

51.

How to Design Galilean Fall Experiments in Economics

Philosophy of Science, Vol. 70, No. 2, pp. 308-329, 2003
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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ceteris paribus, experiment, law of nature

52.

Models in Economics

THE ELGAR COMPANION TO ECONOMICS AND PHILOSOPHY, pp. 260-282, J.B. Davis, A. Marciano and J. Runde, eds., Edward Elgar, 2004
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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representation, rigor, intelligibility, instrument

53.

Measurement in Economic Systems

Measurement, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 275-284, 2005
Posted: 18 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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econometrics, economic mode, invariance, macroeconomics, passive observation, soft system

54.

Invariance and Calibration

MEASERMENT IN ECONOMICS: A HANDBOOK, M. Boumans, ed., pp. 231-248, Elsevier
Posted: 16 Jul 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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measurement, calibration, model, accuracy, instrument

55.

The Difference between Answering a 'Why' - Question and Answering a 'How Much' - Question

SIMULATION: PRAGMATIC CONSTRUCTION OF REALITY, The Sciences Yearbook, J. Lenhard, G. Küppers, T. Shinn, eds., Sociology of the Sciences Yearbook, pp. 107-124, Springer, 2006
Posted: 16 Jul 2009 Last Revised: 16 Oct 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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validity, calibration, measurement, simulation, black box, white box

56.

Frisch on Testing of Business Cycle Theories

Journal of Econometrics, Vol. 67, No. 1, 1995
Posted: 15 Jul 2009 Last Revised: 17 Nov 2009
Marcel J. Boumans
Utrecht University School of Economics

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Identification, Autonomy, Business cycle, Mathematical formalism, Confluence analysis