The statistical mind in modern society. The Netherlands 1850-1940. Volume II: statistics and scientific work

I.H. Stamhuis, P.M.M. Klep, J.G.S.J. van Maarseveen

    Research output: Book / ReportBookAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    In the period 1850-1940 statistics developed as a new combination of theory and practice. A wide range of phenomena were looked at in a novel way and this statistical mindset had a pervasive influence in contemporary society. This development of statistics is closely interlinked with the process of modernisation of society at the time, and with the rapid progress in the sciences. This was not always a smooth process. The increasing influence of the statistical approach sometimes evoked strong opposition on the part of government, business and science, and gave rise to lively debates. The 27 contributions in this publication of two volumes, produced by experts from various disciplines, cover a great diversity of topics. In addition to the institutionalisation and internationalization of official governmental statistics, attention is paid to statistics supporting policies for modernising society, such as social legislation. The application of statistics in trade and industry (such as banking and insurance, and the railways) and in the sciences (demography, geography, genetics, historiography, agricultural and medical sciences) is also discussed, as well as the general emergence of thinking in terms of probabilities and the influence of mechanization in statistics.
    This publication is a follow-up to The statistical mind in a pre-statistical era: The Netherlands 1750-1850 (Paul M.M. Klep and Ida H. Stamhuis, eds), published in 2002.
    Original languageEnglish
    Place of PublicationAmsterdam
    PublisherAksant
    Number of pages475
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

    Bibliographical note

    Vol. II of two volumes

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