Difference Between Bias and Error

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Bias is a systematic error while a random error is not, Systematic errors in experimental observations usually come from the measuring instruments. They may occur because there is something wrong with the instrument or its data handling system, or because the instrument is wrongly used by the experimenter. Two types of systematic error can occur with instruments having a linear response: Offset or zero setting error in which the instrument does not read zero when the quantity to be measured is zero. Multiplier or scale factor error in which the instrument consistently reads changes in the quantity to be measured greater or less than the actual changes. Random errors in experimental measurements are caused by unknown and unpredictable changes in the experiment. These changes may occur in the measuring instruments or in the environmental conditions, examples of causes of random errors are electronic noise in the circuit of an electrical instrument, irregular changes in the heat loss rate from a solar collector due to changes in the wind. ? Random errors often have a Gaussian normal distribution. In such cases statistical methods may be used to analyze the data. The mean m of a number of measurements of the same quantity is the best estimate of that quantity, and the standard deviation s of the measurements shows the accuracy of the estimate. The standard error of the estimate m is s/sqrt(n), where n is the number of measurements. Bias is always a concern in research because people may consciously or unconsciously slant the info the provide or tilt questions to reach their hypothesis. Ensure the research avoids research bias. Research bias is where the research itself, rather than the research subject, causes the findings. Since the aim of research is to seek answers from real world data, research bias is like "noise" that clouds an incoming signal. The noise can
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