Accuracy vs precision: random and systematic error explained
Learn the difference between accuracy and precision, identify random and systematic error, and decide how each affects a scientific graph.
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FigureCheck
Scientific data analysis, measurement and lab-report guides
Clear explanations, worked examples, common mistakes, and hands-on FigureCheck activities for students and early-career researchers.
Measurement fundamentals4 guides
Absolute, relative and percentage uncertainty
Calculate absolute, relative, and percentage uncertainty with formulas, units, and a worked scientific example.
Read guideHow to propagate uncertainty through calculations
A practical guide to uncertainty propagation for sums, products, powers, and functions, with worked examples and assumptions.
Read guideSignificant figures and uncertainty: how to report results
Report scientific measurements with sensible significant figures, decimal places, units, and uncertainty.
Read guideData analysis3 guides
Repeated measurements: mean, range and standard deviation
Summarize repeated measurements using the mean and sample standard deviation, and understand what each statistic says.
Read guideChoosing error bars: SD, SEM or confidence interval?
Choose and label standard deviation, standard error, or confidence-interval error bars according to the scientific question.
Read guideHow to linearize experimental data without misleading yourself
Use logarithms and reciprocal transformations to test physical relationships while checking assumptions and residuals.
Read guideExperimental design1 guides
Independent, dependent and control variables
Identify independent, dependent, controlled, and confounding variables, then map them correctly onto a scientific graph.
Read guideScientific communication2 guides
How to write a scientific results section
Write a clear scientific results section that reports patterns, estimates, uncertainty, tests, and figures without overclaiming.
Read guideHow to write a scientific figure caption
Write a self-contained scientific figure caption that identifies the result, variables, sample, uncertainty, and analysis.
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