3.

An introduction
to error
analysis

dr. Forray Ferenc

1982, University Science Books
Introduction

Everyy measurements carrying

y g some degree
g of
uncertainty regardless of how good was the
measurement.

All scientifically relevant data have an uncertainty.

The science is based on measurements and is

important to get the data right.

Data without uncertainty cannot be relevant

scientifically.
Introduction

Precision (RO = precizia,

precizia HU = szabatossg)

Accuracy (RO=acuratete, HU = pontossg)

Precission

Accurate
Average
No. EC (S/cm)

Average
g (RO=media,, HU=tlagg) n
1 3080

X
2 3094

X = 3118 S/cm i 3 3107

Excel: average(A1:An) X i 1 4 3057

n 5 3113

M di (RO=mediana, HU=kzprtk)
Median 6
7
3175
3198
X = 3107 S/cm
Excel: median(A1:An)
No.

4
EC (S/cm)
3057

Remarks 1
2
3080
3094
The average is greater influenced by outlier 3 3107

values
values. 5 3113

6 3175
Median is less sensitive to outlier values. 7 3198

Outliers can be measurement errors or

typing errors
Average
No. EC (S/cm)

Average
g (RO=media,, HU=tlagg) n
1 3080

X
2 3094

X = 3189 S/cm (71 S/cm more) i 3 3107

Excel: average(A1:An) X i 1 4 3057

n 5 3113

M di (RO=mediana, HU=kzprtk)
Median 6
7
3675
3198
X = 3107 S/cm (not changed!!!)
Excel: median(A1:An)
No.

4
EC (S/cm)
3057

Remarks 1
2
3080
3094
The average is greater influenced by outlier 3 3107

values
values. 5 3113

6 3675
Median is less sensitive to outlier values. 7 3198

Outliers can be measurement errors or

typing errors
Standard deviation
No. EC (S/cm)

Standard deviation (RO=deviaia

standard;; HU=szrs)
1
2
3080
3094

X = 57 S/cm n

(X X )2
3 3107

i 4 3057
Excel: stdev(A1:An) s i 1
n 1 5 3113

R l ti standard
Relative t d dd deviation
i ti 6
7
3175
3198
X = 0.018 S/cm
sr
s
Excel: stdev(A1:An)/average(A1:An) X
Relative deviation (%)
1.8 % sr (%)
s
100 (%)
X
Accuracy

Accuracyy (RO=acuratee; g)
; HU = Pontossag

Indicate how close is the measured value

to the expected value ()
E X

Expressed in %
X
E 100

Error

Precision (RO=precizia;
p g)
; HU= pontossag
p

Error source

Error and confidence

10 ml (A class) pipett confidence 0.02 ml
Example of error calculation

Error propagation
p p g
10 ml (A class) pipette confidence 0.02 ml
If we use it 2 times what will be the confidence then?
(10 00 ml + 10.00
(10.00 10 00 ml) (0.02
(0 02 ml + 00.02
02 ml)
20.00 0.04 ml
Or
(10.00 ml + 10.00 ml) (0.02 ml - 0.02 ml)
20.00 0.00 ml
In other words confidence is between 0.00 and 0.04 ml
R = A + B and
R = (A + B) sr sr s A sB
2 2
R (10 10) (0.02) 2 (0.02) 2
ANNEX
Confidence interval

Measurements of a X 1 , X 2 ,........, X n
variable: n

Average of X i

measurements:
t X i 1
1
n

Measured value: X confidence

Confidence z , z 1.96 ffor 95%
Confidence Z n
90 1.645
95 1 96
1.96

98 2.33 X 1.96
99 2.58 n
Lab work
Smeasured Ssolution

The relationship
p between concentration
24.31
24 38
24.38
0.99
0 96
0.96

and measured values: 24.38 0.97

24.39 0.97
Smeasured= (k x CA) + Ssolution 24.36 0.98

Smeasured= 24.37 0.02 24 39

24.39
24.38
0 98
0.98
0.98
Ssolution= 0.96 0.02 24.2 0.96

k = 0.186 0.003 ppm-1 24.42

24 38
24.38
0.96
0 96
0.96
CA = ? ? ppm 24.36 0.96
24.38 0.98
24.39 0.97
24 38
24.38 1 01
1.01
24.32 0.97
24.39 0.82
24.38 0.85
24 37
24.37 1
24.36 0.98
24.38 0.95