Measurement, Precision & Uncertainty - Cover Sheet SCI Home | SCI Faculty Page | Case Notes | Reference List | Users Notes

Author - Dale Moore (Summer 1998)

Case Purpose This case provides an introduction to reporting data, significant figures, and standard deviation.

Relation to Texts Obviously this case deals with measurement, but it also deals with being able to make unambiguous communication by mathematically expressing the degree of certainty to which an observation has been made. These ideas are focal points of both Ziman texts, CH2 of Reliable Knowledge and CH2-3 of Introduction to Science Studies.

Description of Case Materials Requires:

• a bench-top balance (contact Dale Moore, or another chemist, at least one week in advance)
• something to measure. I've used
  • Bags of oranges (students ate the oranges afterward) and
  • shoes (students did not eat their shoes).

Case Use Students are asked to evaluate several representations of the same data, then students must collect and report their own results to a quantitative question. The instructor may need to provide or elaborate on definitions of terms (significant figures, standard deviation, etc.).

Reference List Check with Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics Departments to borrow texts.