General ISA

Question 1

Define precision.

Answer 1

Precision is the refinement in a measurement taken, often seen as the number of significant figures or decimal places.

Question 2

Define reliability.

Answer 2

The extent to which an experiment gives the same or similar results results when repeated.

Question 3

Define random error.

Answer 3

Random error is an error in measurement caused by factors which vary from one measurement to another.

Question 4

Define systematic error.

Answer 4

Systematic errors are constant errors caused by the way one performs the experiment.

Question 5

Define zero error.

Answer 5

A zero error is an error in calibration of an instrument so that it does not read zero when the quantity being measured is zero.

Question 6

Define an anomalous result.

Answer 6

A result is anomalous if it doesn’t make sense or fit with your other results or their trend.

Question 7

When describing an experiment, you should mention what?

Answer 7

• The hypothesis we’re testing.
• Which variables will be changed and kept the same.
• Give specific values for the variables we will use.
• What we will calculate or plot.
• What result will prove or disprove our hypothesis.

Question 8

Define accuracy.

Answer 8

Accuracy is the degree to which the result of a measurement is close to the real or correct value.