Error and uncertainty in science are not mechanisms for casting doubt upon a set of results, but rather a way of highlighting their accuracy and precision (Box 1).
Error is the difference between the measured value and the true value. Uncertainty is usually the same as the resolution of a piece of equipment (±), i.e. the smallest change that can be measured by a piece of equipment. The ± sign indicates that the error value can be either that much smaller or greater than the recorded value.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
