Measurements and their Uncertainties: A practical guide to modern error analysis

by Ifan G. Hughes, Thomas Hase

This hands-on guide is primarily intended to be used in undergraduate laboratories in the physical sciences and engineering. It assumes no prior knowledge of statistics. It introduces the necessary concepts where needed, with key points illustrated with worked examples and graphic illustrations. In contrast to traditional mathematical treatments it uses a combination of spreadsheet and calculus-based approaches, suitable as a quick and easy on-the-spot reference. The emphasis throughout is on practical strategies to be adopted in the laboratory.
Error analysis is introduced at a level accessible to school leavers, and carried through to research level. Error calculation and propagation is presented though a series of rules-of-thumb, look-up tables and approaches amenable to computer analysis. The general approach uses the chi-square statistic extensively. Particular attention is given to hypothesis testing and extraction of parameters and their uncertainties by fitting mathematical models to experimental data. Routines implemented by most contemporary data analysis packages are analysed and explained. The book finishes with a discussion of advanced fitting strategies and an introduction to Bayesian analysis.

Genres: Mathematics, Textbooks, Physics

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

Reviews

[minhhai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instructive, concise and clear text on measurement uncertainty and fitting. The book provides basic error analyses and data fitting methods from a very practical viewpoint. No prior knowledge of statistics is required. It touches every topic at a superficial level. Good introductory text for undergrads and beyond. I wish I could have this book in hand in my undergrad.

The book introduces and discusses methods and issues regarding error/uncertainty in data analysis, the principles of spreadsheet packages with concrete and vivid worked examples: how to calculate uncertainties of data and fitted parameters and interpret them. All of them can be performed using computers (but the book doesn't specify which). A large portion of the book is also dedicated to the hypothetical test: how do we know if the fit is good or our model is acceptable. However, the content is very general. One should consider other books for in-depth instruction on particular topics.

[Avesta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hughes & Hase is such an interesting yet irritating textbook - infamously used by my university to teach data analysis and errors/uncertainties.

I love experimental/applied physics so much - and that's a big reason why I wholeheartedly convinced myself to enjoy this textbook. But honestly, and it's a pity it took me a long time to realise... it's just not a good teacher of a textbook.

It's supposedly an excellent guide to error analysis - but a guide explains a topic every step of the way; doesn't skip steps; and doesn't leave particular parts as seemingly intuitive/doesn't leave it to the reader to understand poorly explained topics.

This is good as a GUIDE for those who have already studied the topics inside before - and I personally don't believe it's good for fresher undergraduates like myself. It's more suited to later year undergrads (but not postgrads - if you're a postgrad and find this stuff new, then that'll be quite concerning...).

{Errors Lectures: 05/10/2023 - 09/11/2023}

Like this review if you're doing/you did Discovery Skills In Physics and comment if you have/had Prof. Dr. Mizouri as your Errors lecturer :P

[sbs transit · Rating 5 out of 5]

#nsreads 6

Clearly not out to offer mathematical rigor, but it serves well as a no-nonsense lab guide. Would definitely keep a copy of this handy on the bench

[Tue Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usable, but by no means outstanding.