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Re: systematic error and statistical error



Date sent: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 13:28:42 -0400
From: Tim O'Donnell <odonnt@CELINA.K12.OH.US>
Subject: Re: systematic error and statistical error
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Send reply to: "phys-l@lists.nau.edu: Forum for Physics Educators"
<PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Organization: Celina City Schools

I especially like his statements about *labeling* what type of error
is being reported. A similar problem arises in distinguishing
between the sample standard deviation, and the standard error of the
mean. When a person reports the result of several measurements and
indicates the result in the format 3.45 +- 0.03, what is the meaning
of this number? Is it the standard deviation, or is it the standard
error of the mean, or something else? I think several different
meanings are commonly used, and the only way for the reader to know
is for the writer to specify.
Michael,
I would always interpet that to mean the measurement is
somewhere between 3.45 & 3.42.
That should have been 3.48 & 3.42

Tim O'Donnell
Instructor of Physics and Chemistry
Celina High School
715 East Wayne Street
Celina, Ohio 45822
(419) 586-8300 Ext 1200 or 1201
odonnt@celina.k12.oh.us

"Chance only favors the prepared mind." - Louis Pasteur