About this edition
This book addresses social measurement as the methodological core of the social sciences, starting from the premise that it is no longer a neutral technical procedure, but rather a complex epistemic practice in which philosophy, methodology, technology, and ethics intersect. It seeks to bridge a clear gap in the Arabic scholarly literature by offering an integrative framework that brings together social measurement and social impact measurement within an intelligent digital perspective, linking classical theoretical foundations with contemporary applications supported by big data and artificial intelligence.
The book is organized into six progressive chapters. The first chapter establishes the conceptual and methodological foundations of social measurement, including its scientific principles and conditions. The second examines the precise relationship between concepts, variables, and indicators, explaining how an abstract idea is transformed into an observable indicator through conceptualization and operational definition. The third traces the profound transformation of measurement tools in the age of artificial intelligence, where they have shifted from fixed models to adaptive systems operating in real time. The fourth chapter is devoted to social impact measurement, moving the discussion beyond the measurement of activities and outputs toward the assessment of substantive
and sustainable change, drawing on leading global frameworks and practices. The fifth presents an applied framework for employing digital transformation and artificial intelligence in monitoring social phenomena and supporting evidence-based policymaking.
The sixth chapter represents the culmination of the book, as it introduces the “Future Social Measurement Cycle” (FSMC) as a forward-looking framework that transforms measurement from a tool of understanding into a system for producing and guiding impact through a continuous learning cycle composed of six stages. Throughout the book, a careful balance is maintained between the opportunities enabled by technology and the ethical challenges associated with it, such as algorithmic bias, privacy protection, and model transparency. The book emphasizes the necessity of keeping the human being, with their values and dignity, at the heart of the measurement process. In this sense, it serves as both a theoretical and applied reference for researchers, graduate students, policymakers, and practitioners in the governmental and nonprofit sectors.