In this section will provide the essential knowledge, skills and tools for understanding, analysing, and working with error and uncertainty within an Engineering context.

We have divided the course into the following subsections – each will take you through a key aspect of the topic, using examples in a variety of media from a range of disciplines. Use the interactive quizzes and self-assessment activities provided throughout each section to help you check your understanding and reflect on what you have learned.

1. ‘Can you ever know the true value?’ An introduction to error and uncertainty

• Why is error analysis important? Understanding the purpose
• Key definitions

2. ‘How long is a piece of string?’: Measurement uncertainty

• Choosing your uncertainty (and the consequences)
• Uncertainty beyond measurement: beyond gravitational constant; more than just instrument precision

3. ‘What is really happening?’: Taking multiple measurements

• From single to multiple measurements
• Types and methodologies
• Decision-making: how many times should I repeat an experiment?
• Making histograms
• Standard deviation and standard error
• Confidence interval
• Measurement error

4. ‘What is the impact of my errors?’: Sensitivity analysis

• The purpose of sensitivity analysis: checking assumptions and managing consequences
• Prioritising different variables
• Combining errors
• Making changes to experiments
• When is it not worth it?: the time trade-off

5. Communicating error and uncertainty

• Why is communication important?: the impact
• Error bars
• The perils of number without uncertainty