Experimentation an Introduction to Measurement the

by D.C. Baird

A supplement to all introductory physics courses which have a strong lab component. The ever-increasing use of the computer as a tool for data analysis and acquisition has not eliminated the need for a grounding, sound experimentation design, Baird continues to emphasize the fundamentals of experimentation with added consideration for the power of new technology.

Genres: Science

198 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1962

Reviews

[Megan Alvord · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content is fantastic, the delivery is dull. I would love this text updated for current undergrad physics students. It really does cover a wide range of experimental considerations and continually emphasizes the nuances of statistical interpretation we so casually use in introductory labs.

[Angie Reisetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not written in the most engaging manner. The first edition came out in the 1960s, and it has the more formal tone of academic writing of that time. So students may not love it.

That being said, it's a pretty good run-down of what scientists in general and physicists in particular think about when running a simple experiment. It goes over scientific thinking, building models, designing experiments, uncertainties, and evaluating experiment. In short, all that stuff I wish I had time to teach my introductory physics students but don't have time to get to. In fact, it has more than we usually need to introductory physics. We don't usually have a great need for experimental design. And some of the analysis topics seem more appropriate for an advanced, or at least sophomore-level lab. But it's a good resource, and there are sections that I would definitely recommend to all science majors.