ERRORS IN MEASUREMENT

SYSTEM
Types of Errors in Measurement System

ERRORS
An error may be defined as the difference between the
measured value and the actual value.
Types of Errors in Measurement System
GROSS ERRORS
Gross errors are caused by mistake in using instruments or meters calculating
measurement and recording data results. 

SYSTEMATIC ERRORS
The Systematic errors that occur due to fault in the measuring device are known
as systematic errors. Usually they are called as Zero Error – a positive or negative
error. These errors can be detached by correcting the measurement device. These
errors may be classified into different categories.
A. Instrumental Errors
B. Environmental Errors
C. Observational Errors 
D. Theoretical Errors

RANDOM ERRORS
Random errors are caused by the sudden change in experimental conditions and
noise and tiredness in the working persons. These errors are either positive or
negative. An example of the random errors is during changes in humidity,
unexpected change in temperature and fluctuation in voltage.
Types of Errors in Measurement System
INSTRUMENTAL ERRORS
Instrumental errors occur due to wrong construction of the measuring
instruments. These types of errors include loading effect and misuse of the
instruments.

ENVIRONMENTAL ERRORS
The environmental errors occur due to some external conditions of the
instrument. External conditions mainly include pressure, temperature,
humidity or due to magnetic fields.

OBSERVATIONAL ERRORS
As the name suggests, these types of errors occurs due to wrong observations.
The wrong observations may be due to PARALLAX. 

THEORETICAL ERRORS
Theoretical errors are caused by simplification of the model system.
Methods of Measurement

■ Direct method
■ Indirect method
■ Deflection method
Direct method

■ Measurements are directly obtained

–  Ex: Vernier Caliper, Scales
Indirect method

■ Obtained by measuring other quantities

– Ex : Weight = Length x Breadth x Height x Density
Deflection method
■ The value to be measured is directly indicated
by a deflection of pointer
– Ex: Pressure Measurement
Measuring Instruments

■ Deflection and null type instruments

■ Analog and digital instruments
■ Active and passive instruments
■ Automatic and manually operated instruments
■ Contacting and non contacting instruments
 DEFLECTION AND NULL TYPE

■ Physical effect generated by the measuring quantity

■ Equivalent opposing effect to nullify the physical
effect caused by the quantity
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE
INSTRUMENTS
■ Instruments are those that require some source of auxiliary power
■ The energy requirements of the instruments are met entirely from
the input signal
 Automatic and manually operated

■ Manually operated – requires the service of human operator

■ Automated – doesn't requires human operator
Contacting And Non Contacting Instruments

■ A contacting with measuring medium

■ Measure the desired input even though they are
not in close contact with the measuring medium
Characteristics of Measuring Instrument

■ Sensitivity

■ Accuracy

■ Precision

■ Range
 Definition
■ Sensitivity- Sensitivity is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of
response (output signal) to the magnitude of the quantity being
measured (input signal)
■ Accuracy = the extent to which a measured value agrees with a
true value
■ The difference between the measured value & the true value is
known as ‘Error of measurement’
■ Accuracy is the quality of conformity
■ The ‘Range’ is the total range of values which an instrument is
capable of measuring.
The person hit the bull's-eye?

Three targets
with three
arrows each to
shoot.

How do they Both Precise but Neither

compare? accurate not accurate accurate nor
and precise precise
 Ways to Reduce Measurement Error

•Double check all measurements for accuracy.

•Double check your formulas are correct.
•Make sure observers and measurement takers are well trained.
•Make the measurement with the instrument that has the highest
precision.
•Take the measurements under controlled conditions.
•Pilot test your measuring instruments.
•Use multiple measures for the same construct.