Self-test 1 – Estimation of measurement uncertainty in chemical analysis

Now you have acquired the knowledge and understanding of the most basic concepts related to measurement uncertainty. The following test enables you to test your understanding.

Which of the following statements are true? Which of the listed differences between uncertainty and error are correct?

1. Measurement uncertainty defines an interval around the measured value within which the true value lies with some probability.

True

False

2. Measured value can be corrected by subtracting measurement uncertainty from it.

True

False

3. A measured value can be regarded as an estimate of the true value.

True

False

4. If a measurement result has uncertainty then it means that the measurement was not performed correctly.

True

False

5. Which of the listed differences between uncertainty and error are correct?

Uncertainty and error have different units

Uncertainty is surely bigger than the absolute value of error

Error has a sign but uncertainty does not

Uncertainty cannot be used for correcting the measured value, while error in principle could be used (if we knew its direction and magnitude)

6. Measurement uncertainty characterizes the accuracy of the measurement result.

True

False