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00:59Uncertainty: 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.
00:59Propagation 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...
00:54Uncertainty: Confidence Intervals
The confidence interval is the range of values around the mean that contains the true mean. It is expressed as a probability percentage. The interpretation of a 95% confidence interval, for instance, is that the statistician is 95% confident that the true mean falls within the interval. The upper and lower limits of this range are known as confidence limits. The confidence limits for the true mean are estimated from the sample's mean, the standard deviation, and the statistical factor 't,' or...
03:37Uncertainty 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.
01:10Propagation of Uncertainty from Systematic Error
The atomic mass of an element varies due to the relative ratio of its isotopes. A sample's relative proportion of oxygen isotopes influences its average atomic mass. For instance, if we were to measure the atomic mass of oxygen from a sample, the mass would be a weighted average of the isotopic masses of oxygen in that sample. Since a single sample is not likely to perfectly reflect the true atomic mass of oxygen for all the molecules of oxygen on Earth, the mass we obtain from this particular...
04:08The Uncertainty Principle
Werner Heisenberg considered the limits of how accurately one can measure properties of an electron or other microscopic particles. He determined that there is a fundamental limit to how accurately one can measure both a particle’s position and its momentum simultaneously. The more accurate the measurement of the momentum of a particle is known, the less accurate the position at that time is known and vice versa. This is what is now called the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. He mathematically...
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Updated: May 17, 2026
09:07
Experimental Research Examining How People Can Cope with Uncertainty Through Soft Haptic Sensations
Published on: September 16, 2015
Is uncertainty bad for you? It depends ….
Ingrid Schoon1, Leslie Morrison Gutman, Ricardo Sabates
1University of London.
New Directions for Youth Development
|October 26, 2012
Summary
Adolescents face more uncertainty in educational aspirations than career choices. The effects of this uncertainty on their achievements depend on context, timing, resources, and individual traits.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Sociology of Education
- Adolescent Development
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for forming educational and career plans.
- Understanding sources of uncertainty is key to supporting young people's future attainment.
- Existing research often focuses on career choice uncertainty, potentially overlooking other significant factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the significance of uncertainty in educational aspirations versus career choice among adolescents.
- To explore the moderating factors influencing the impact of uncertainty on adolescent attainment.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design tracking adolescent development.
- Surveys and interviews assessing aspirations, choices, and perceived uncertainty.
More Related Videos
Main Results:
- Uncertainty in educational aspirations is a greater concern for adolescents than career choice uncertainty.
- The impact of uncertainty on adolescent attainment is significantly moderated by socio-historical context, timing, resources, and individual characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Educational aspiration uncertainty warrants greater attention from parents and educators.
- Interventions must consider the diverse contexts and individual differences affecting how uncertainty impacts adolescent outcomes.