Uncertainty Analysis for Dummies

[hecmar.arreola]

Hi!

I have a background in EE, and this is a subject that my schooling did not teach me very well (sadly).  I've reviewed ASME PTC 19.1-2005 "Test Uncertainty" and some of it was really helpful and good but a lot of it felt like it was over my head.  None of the examples provided were simple, and I felt like they were overly complicated.

I need a good reference for how to get from Point A - knowing the independent accuracies of my instruments, to Point B - knowing the accuracy of a particular number in a data file.

I feel like I've gotten a grip on correcting systematic errors in my measurement process.  For instance, we have standard calibrated pressure transducers of various ranges that we use.

It is the random errors that I have a hard time working with.  I just have so many questions that it is difficult to outline them all here.  So I'm after a good reference that defines the measurement process, defines how to measure (or calculating) the error of that measurement process, and the standard ways of reporting this error.

If anyone can recommend some good reference I would greatly appreciate it.  I have a stack of standards, but I need something on the introductory level before I feel like I can start applying the standards to my practice.

Thank you for your input.

-nic

[Darin.K]

"Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences" By Phillip Bevington.  Required reading in my lab.

[Henrik_Volkers]

GUM: Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement

Starting point:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Measurement_uncertainty

 and digg in the external links....

For the beginner http://resource.npl.co.uk/cgi-bin/goto_pubdb.pl?rec=2284

 

Just found some software @ NPL here  (there is also a LabVIEW simulation for a LockIn Amp ...)

[Agha]

Hi

I interested in the subject..

Do you have more advance guidance about uncertanity measurement or reasoning for uncertanity in test and measurement systems etc.

Kind regards,

Faisal Azeem

[thoult]

We used to recommend this book as an introduction to data and error analysis in experimental work:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Experimental-Methods-Introduction-Analysis-Presentation/dp/0471335797

It gives pretty decent reasoning for the various approaches used.

[Henrik_Volkers]

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@Agha wrote:

Hi

I interested in the subject..

Do you have more advance guidance about uncertanity measurement or reasoning for uncertanity in test and measurement systems etc.

Kind regards,

Faisal Azeem

---

Try the GUM

or

http://www.nist.gov/itl/sed/gsg/upload/TutorialMetrologists2011Nov22.pdf

(Work through the references and you can call yourself an expert)