measurement uncertainty

USAGE SUMMARY

"measurement uncertainty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the potential error or inaccuracy in a measurement, and is commonly used in scientific and technical writing. Example: "The results of the experiment were affected by the measurement uncertainty, with a margin of error of +/- 5%. Further analysis will be required to reduce this uncertainty and improve the accuracy of the measurements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The measurement uncertainty (1σ) is shown.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

The typical measurement uncertainty was 1 11%.

Heritage Science

Measurement uncertainty was reported as 26%% for all measurements.

Environmental Sciences Europe

The measurement uncertainty was evaluated to be ±5%.

EJNMMI Research

Measurement uncertainty was determined on basis of modelling approach.

Journal of Analytical Science and Technology

The heat flow reproducibility agrees with the measurement uncertainty (±3.5%).

Nanoscale Research Letters

It is difficult to separate natural variations from measurement uncertainty.

Earth, Planets and Space

MU measurement uncertainty, 26 %, SD standard deviation, n.d.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Measurement uncertainty of the estimate was also assessed.

EJNMMI Research

These differences (≤6.6%) are within the measurement uncertainty.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Finally, the major sources of measurement uncertainty are discussed.

Measurement

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting experimental results, always quantify the "measurement uncertainty" using appropriate statistical methods (e.g., standard deviation, confidence intervals) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the data quality.

Common error

Avoid using "accuracy" and "precision" interchangeably with "measurement uncertainty". Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision refers to the repeatability of the measurement. "Measurement uncertainty" encompasses both aspects and should be clearly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "measurement uncertainty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows that it frequently describes the inherent limitations or potential for error associated with a particular measurement process or result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "measurement uncertainty" is a noun phrase commonly used in scientific and technical writing to describe the potential error associated with a measurement. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and primarily appears in scientific contexts. It’s crucial to quantify this uncertainty when reporting results to ensure transparency and accurate interpretation of data. Related phrases include "error in measurement" and "margin of error", although it's important to distinguish "measurement uncertainty" from concepts like accuracy and precision. Always strive to use appropriate statistical methods to quantify and report "measurement uncertainty" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

error in measurement

This alternative uses "error" instead of "uncertainty", focusing on the deviation from the true value.

margin of error

This phrase is often used to quantify the potential difference between a sample and the overall population.

degree of uncertainty in measurement

This alternative expands the phrase to explicitly state the degree to which the measurement is uncertain.

measurement imprecision

This term highlights the lack of repeatability in measurements.

accuracy of measurement

This focuses on how close a measurement is to the true value, the inverse of uncertainty.

reliability of measurement

This emphasizes the consistency and dependability of the measurement process.

potential for measurement error

This alternative highlights the risk that the measurement may not reflect the true value.

limits of measurement

This phrase focuses on the boundaries within which a measurement can be considered valid.

measurement variability

This term describes the extent to which measurements differ from each other.

confidence interval

This alternative quantifies the range within which the true value is expected to lie.

FAQs

How is "measurement uncertainty" typically expressed?

Typically, "measurement uncertainty" is expressed as a range, often using the ± symbol, along with a unit of measurement. For example, a measurement might be reported as 10.0 ± 0.5 cm, indicating that the true value is likely to fall between 9.5 cm and 10.5 cm.

What are the main sources of "measurement uncertainty"?

The main sources of "measurement uncertainty" can include limitations of the measuring instrument, environmental conditions, variations in the item being measured, and the skill of the person taking the measurement.

Why is it important to report "measurement uncertainty"?

Reporting "measurement uncertainty" is crucial for evaluating the reliability and comparability of measurements. It allows others to assess the quality of the data and make informed decisions based on the results. Failing to report uncertainty can lead to misinterpretations and flawed conclusions.

What is the difference between "measurement uncertainty" and "measurement error"?

"Measurement error" is the difference between the measured value and the true value. "Measurement uncertainty", on the other hand, is an estimate of the range within which the true value is likely to lie. Uncertainty acknowledges that the true value is unknown, while error implies a known deviation.