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Related Concept Videos

Propagation of Uncertainty from Random Error00:59

Propagation of Uncertainty from Random Error

An experiment often consists of more than a single step. In this case, measurements at each step give rise to uncertainty. Because the measurements occur in successive steps, the uncertainty in one step necessarily contributes to that in the subsequent step. As we perform statistical analysis on these types of experiments, we must learn to account for the propagation of uncertainty from one step to the next. The propagation of uncertainty depends on the type of arithmetic operation performed on...
Uncertainty: Overview00:59

Uncertainty: Overview

In analytical chemistry, we often perform repetitive measurements to detect and minimize inaccuracies caused by both determinate and indeterminate errors. Despite the cares we take, the presence of random errors means that repeated measurements almost never have exactly the same magnitude. The collective difference between these measurements - observed values - and the estimated or expected value is called uncertainty. Uncertainty is conventionally written after the estimated or expected value.
Significant Figures in Calculations00:58

Significant Figures in Calculations

Uncertainty in measurements can be avoided by reporting the results of a calculation with the correct number of significant figures. This can be determined by the following rules for rounding numbers:
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches01:23

Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches

Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Uncertainty in Measurement: Accuracy and Precision03:37

Uncertainty in Measurement: Accuracy and Precision

Scientists typically make repeated measurements of a quantity to ensure the quality of their findings and to evaluate both the precision and the accuracy of their results. Measurements are said to be precise if they yield very similar results when repeated in the same manner. A measurement is considered accurate if it yields a result that is very close to the true or the accepted value. Precise values agree with each other; accurate values agree with a true value.
Estimation of the Physical Quantities01:05

Estimation of the Physical Quantities

On many occasions, physicists, other scientists, and engineers need to make estimates of a particular quantity. These are sometimes referred to as guesstimates, order-of-magnitude approximations, back-of-the-envelope calculations, or Fermi calculations. The physicist Enrico Fermi was famous for his ability to estimate various kinds of data with surprising precision. Estimating does not mean guessing a number or a formula at random. Instead, estimation means using prior experience and sound...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Experimental Research Examining How People Can Cope with Uncertainty Through Soft Haptic Sensations
09:07

Experimental Research Examining How People Can Cope with Uncertainty Through Soft Haptic Sensations

Published on: September 16, 2015

Extrapolation, uncertainty factors, and the precautionary principle.

Daniel Steel1

  • 1Department of Philosophy, 503 S Kedzie Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1032, USA. steel@msu.edu

Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
|August 2, 2011
PubMed
Summary

The precautionary principle, not cost-benefit analysis, explains the use of uncertainty factors in toxicology for setting safe chemical exposure limits. These factors remain vital for applying the precautionary principle to all hazards.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2026

Experimental Research Examining How People Can Cope with Uncertainty Through Soft Haptic Sensations
09:07

Experimental Research Examining How People Can Cope with Uncertainty Through Soft Haptic Sensations

Published on: September 16, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Chemical Safety

Background:

  • The precautionary principle guides decision-making in the face of scientific uncertainty.
  • Uncertainty factors are critical in toxicology for extrapolating animal data to human risk assessment.
  • Historical adoption of uncertainty factors in the US occurred during a period lacking robust quantitative data for cost-benefit analysis.

Observation:

  • This study analyzes the historical adoption of uncertainty factors in the United States during the 1950s.
  • The essay explores the connection between the precautionary principle and toxicological uncertainty factors.
  • It contrasts the influence of the precautionary principle with cost-benefit analysis in the early use of these factors.

Findings:

  • The adoption of uncertainty factors in the 1950s is best understood through the lens of the precautionary principle.
  • Cost-benefit analysis was not a primary driver for adopting uncertainty factors due to insufficient data at the time.
  • Uncertainty factors are shown to be integral to the ongoing implementation of the precautionary principle.

Implications:

  • The precautionary principle should encompass quantifiable hazards, not just unquantifiable risks.
  • Uncertainty factors are essential tools for applying the precautionary principle in chemical risk assessment.
  • This research highlights the enduring relevance of the precautionary principle in public health and environmental protection.