Error and Bias

Measurement error is the difference between a measured value and the true value of a quantity. Bias is a systematic error that causes the measured value to differ from the true value in a consistent way. In this section, we will discuss the sources of error and bias in measurements and how to minimize them.

There are two main sources of error in measurements: random error and systematic error. Random error is caused by fluctuations in the measurement process that are unpredictable and uncontrollable. Systematic error is caused by a consistent bias in the measurement process that leads to a consistent deviation from the true value.

Measurement Bias is a systematic error that causes the measured value to differ from the true value in a consistent way. For example, if a scale consistently underestimates the weight of an object by 1 kg, it has a bias of 1 kg. Bias can be caused by a variety of factors, such as calibration errors, environmental conditions, or operator error.