Måleusikkerheter

Måleusikkerheter, or measurement uncertainty, is a fundamental concept in metrology and scientific measurement. It quantifies the doubt that exists regarding the result of a measurement. No measurement can be perfectly exact; there will always be some degree of variability or spread in the possible values that a measurand could take. Measurement uncertainty is a parameter, associated with the result of a measurement, that characterizes the dispersion of the values that could reasonably be attributed to the measurand.

There are two main sources of uncertainty: random errors and systematic errors. Random errors are unpredictable fluctuations in the measurement process. They cause the measured values to scatter around a mean. Systematic errors, on the other hand, are consistent deviations from the true value. They affect all measurements in the same way, either by consistently overestimating or underestimating the true value.

Quantifying measurement uncertainty typically involves identifying all significant sources of uncertainty, estimating their magnitudes, and then combining them using established methods, such as the propagation of uncertainty. The result is often expressed as a numerical value representing the standard deviation or a related interval, such as a confidence interval, around the measured value. This allows for a realistic assessment of the quality and reliability of a measurement. Understanding and reporting measurement uncertainty is crucial for comparing measurement results, making informed decisions, and ensuring the validity of scientific and technical data.