Lyon / Ashhurst Dealing with Data

The Commonwealth and International Library: Physics Division
1. Auflage 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4831-5573-9
Verlag: Elsevier Science & Techn.
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 410 Seiten, Web PDF

Dealing with Data is an introductory course to problems and techniques dealing with data analysis, with emphasis on the physical and engineering sciences. The book starts with the basics of data analysis through non-statistical and non-mathematical assessments of error and uncertainty conditions. Experimental and maximum errors and the use of simple graphical methods are briefly described. Applying quick methods on data analysis such as frequency distributions, determination of standard errors, and applications of significance tests are explained. Special attention is given to the statistical quick methods where the range is preferred to traditional methods of calculation. The author notes that the quick methods have more practical applications in physics and engineering. The use of the quick methods of calculation is more precise in error estimation, confidence limits, and tests for outliers that the error is very negligible when applied to actual conditions. Dealing with errors of computation arising from rounding of values, and those arising from the use of slide rules and of the logarithm tables, is explained. The use of numerical methods (integration, differentiation, and interpolation) and graphical methods (like curve fitting) is briefly explained, with the author's emphasis on choosing the simpler methods. Sixth formers, engineering undergraduates, statisticians, and students of mathematics will find the information in this book useful.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Lyon, Arthur J.

Ashhurst, W.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Front Cover;1
2;Dealing With Data;4
3;Copyright Page;5
4;Table of Contents;6
5;PREFACE;14
6;CHAPTER 1 Experimental Errors;20
6.1;1 Error and uncertainty in measurements;20
6.2;2 Reading and setting errors;22
6.3;3 Assessment of error limits by bracketing;25
6.4;4 Random and systematic errors;28
6.5;5 Random Flictuations;33
6.6;6 Random sampling;40
6.7;7 Personal error;41
6.8;8 Instrumental errors;42
6.9;9 Errors of approximation;45
6.10;10 Ill-defined magnitudes;46
6.11;11 Classification of types and sources of error;47
7;CHAPTER 2 Maximum Errors;51
7.1;12 Propagation of errors;51
7.2;13 Combination of maximum errors;56
7.3;14 Errors of computation;63
7.4;Exercises on Chapter 2;75
8;CHAPTER 3 Frequency Distributions;77
8.1;15 The frequency function;77
8.2;16 Probability distributions;84
8.3;17 Characteristics of a frequency distribution;86
8.4;18 Properties of some common distributions;88
8.5;19 Percentage points;98
8.6;20 Comparison of observed and predicted frequencies;105
8.7;Exercises on Chapter 3;108
9;CHAPTER 4 Standard Errors;110
9.1;21 Estimation of the mean;110
9.2;22 The range estimator of standard deviation;114
9.3;23 The standard error;119
9.4;24 The standard error of measurements;129
9.5;25 Increase in resolution by averaging: Chapman'sdetection of an atmospheric lunar tide;138
9.6;26 The standard error of an estimate of standard error;140
9.7;27 Combination of standard errors;151
9.8;28 Considerations of precision in the design of experiments;157
9.9;Exercises on Chapter 4;160
10;CHAPTER 5 Significance Tests;164
10.1;29 Statistical interpretation of the standard error;164
10.2;30 Standard errors and maximum errors;171
10.3;31 Significance of discrepancies;173
10.4;32 Problems of error analysis;198
10.5;33 Rejection of outliers;211
10.6;Exercises on Chapter 5;218
11;CHAPTER 6 Fitting a Straight Line;221
11.1;34 Graphs;221
11.2;35 Fitting a straight line graphically;230
11.3;36 Fitting a straight line numerically;245
11.4;37 Errors of a fitted straight line;269
11.5;Exercises on Chapter 6;283
12;CHAPTER 7 Computational Errors;285
12.1;38 Rounding off errors;285
12.2;39 The slide rule and its errors;304
12.3;40 Other computing aids;310
13;CHAPTER 8 Numerical Methods;313
13.1;41 Numerical integration;313
13.2;42 Numerical differentiation;326
13.3;43 Finite differences;333
13.4;44 Interpolation formulae;336
13.5;45 Errors in differences and in interpolation formulae;339
13.6;46 Differentiation using differences;341
13.7;47 Integration using differences;343
13.8;Exercises on Chapter 8;344
14;CHAPTER 9 Curve Fitting;346
14.1;48 Fitting a polynomial;346
14.2;49 Step-function methods in polynomial fitting;354
14.3;50 Locating a maximum or minimum;356
14.4;Exercises on Chapter 9;358
15;APPENDIX A Tables;12
16;APPENDIX B Summaries;12
17;APPENDIX C Notes on the Tables Using Range;12
18;APPENDIX D Selected Bibliography with Notes;12
19;INDEX;12