Measurement Errors

Lesson objectives:

 show an understanding of the distinction between

systematic errors (including zero errors) and random
errors;
 show an understanding of the distinction between
precision and accuracy;
 Types of Error
no analysis is free of error or “uncertainty”
Systematic Error (determinate error) The error
is reproducible and can be discovered and
corrected.

Random Error (indeterminate error) Caused by

uncontrollable variables, which can not be
defined/eliminated.
 Random Error
The Nature of Random Errors
Random, or indeterminate, errors occur whenever a
measurement is made. This type of error is caused by the
many uncontrollable variables that are an inevitable part
of every physical or chemical measurement. There are
many contributors to random error, but often we cannot
positively identify or measure them because they are small
enough to avoid individual detection. The accumulated
effect of the individual random uncertainties, however,
causes the data from a set of replicate measurements to
fluctuate randomly around the mean of the set.
 Random errors
• An error that varies between successive measurements
• Equally likely to be positive or negative
• Always present in an experiment
• Presence obvious from distribution of values obtained
• Can be minimised by performing multiple measurements
of the same quantity or by measuring one quantity as
function of second quantity and performing a straight
line fit of the data
• Sometimes referred to as reading errors
 Sources of Random Errors
Sources of random uncertainties in the calibration of a
pipet include
(1)visual judgments, such as the level of the water with
respect to the marking on the pipet and the mercury
level in the thermometer;
(2) variations in the drainage time and in the angle of the
pipet as it drains;
(3) temperature fluctuations, which affect the volume of
the pipet, the viscosity of the liquid, and the
performance of the balance; and
(4) vibrations and drafts that cause small variations in the
balance readings.
Systematic (determinate) errors
1. Instrument errors - failure to calibrate, degradation of parts in
the instrument, power fluctuations, variation in temperature, etc.
Can be corrected by calibration or proper instrumentation
maintenance.
2. Method errors - errors due to no ideal physical or chemical
behavior - completeness and speed of reaction, interfering side
reactions, sampling problems
Can be corrected with proper method development.
3. Personal errors - occur where measurements require judgment,
result from prejudice, color acuity problems.
Can be minimized or eliminated with proper training and experience.
 Systematic errors
• Constant throughout a set of readings.
• May result from equipment which is
incorrectly calibrated or how measurements
are performed.
• Cause average (mean) of measured values to
depart from correct value.
• Difficult to spot presence of systematic errors
in an experiment.
 Random vs systematic errors
Random errors only

True value

Random + systematic

•A result is said to be accurate if it is relatively free from

systematic error
•A result is said to be precise if the random error is small
RE RE RE RE
SE SE SE SE
precise, not accurate, not neither precise, both accurate
accurate precise nor accurate and precise

▪ A measurement is said to be accurate if it has little systematic errors.

▪ A measurement is said to be precise if it has little random errors.

▪ A measurement can be of great precision but be inaccurate

(for example, if the instrument used had a zero offset error).
Random and systematic errors
EX:

·This is like the rounded-end ruler. It will produce a systematic error.

·Thus its error will be in accuracy, not precision.