In Dr Attari's study, for example, the survey provided a reference measure by stating the amount of energy used by a standard light bulb.

ECONOMIST: Energy conservation

There is nothing more boring, even to budget wonks, but the reference point against which you measure tax changes is critical to how you see those proposals.

FORBES: Washington Plays The Baseline Game On Deficit Reduction

His letter said the purpose of the meeting would be to reach an agreement that would avoid a "constitutional confrontation" -- a reference to the committee's planned vote on the contempt measure.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

His letter Monday said the purpose of the meeting would be to reach an agreement that would avoid a "constitutional confrontation, " a reference to the committee's planned vote on the contempt measure.

CNN: Issa: Holder must turn over documents or face contempt vote

In physics, how you measure time and distance is a matter of your frame of reference, which can be viewed as a language or labeling convention.

FORBES: Krugman's Four Dangerous Fiscal Fables

While not an exact scientific measure, a sampling of U.S. doctrinal writings on IW could provide a useful frame of reference and possibly some context for comparison between Chinese and American thinking.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: What is IW?