Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

social science number
     
        (IBM) A statistic that is {content-free}, or nearly so.  A
        measure derived via methods of questionable validity from data
        of a dubious and vague nature.  Predictively, having a social
        science number in hand is seldom much better than nothing, and
        can be considerably worse.  {Management} loves them.
     
        See also {numbers}, {math-out}, {pretty pictures}.
     
        (1994-11-04)