My teacher said that the reliability of experiment and of results are two different things and that repetition of trials will not improve the reliability of the experiment, could anyone pls explain the difference and how to improve the reliability of both ?
Reliability of experiment and of results (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter NexusRich
- Start date
I think that, since we know for sure that reliability of results refers to how consistent our results are after each trial, maybe your teacher was referring to the nature of the experiment when they mentioned that repetition of trials will not improve the reliability of the experiment.
For example, using an incorrect/irrelevant method as part of an experiment in an attempt to determine the nature/value of something renders the experiment itself unreliable, even if you can achieve consistent results using such a method after multiple trials.
That's what I think
For example, using an incorrect/irrelevant method as part of an experiment in an attempt to determine the nature/value of something renders the experiment itself unreliable, even if you can achieve consistent results using such a method after multiple trials.
That's what I think
A reliable experiment has minimal chance of random errors, which are fluctuations of the data as a result of instability of environment, these errors are often irreproducible (contrasting to systematic errors). That is my interpretation of what your teacher meant.
Random errors can be reduced by:
Random errors can be reduced by:
- Ensure measuring instruments are easy to read.
- Ensure measuring instruments are calibrated.
- Conducting the experiment within a stable environment.
Calibrating is more so a systematic error.
just to add on, i reckon HSC does a bad job with reliability. They seem to basically mix in precision with reliability, or at least the way i've seen it been written about.
but ye, for hsc, treat consistency of data per measurement and per experiment both as reliability.
an example of reliability per experiment, is, do the experiment again with a different batch of the same chemicals, and check if the results from the two experiments match up.
just to add on, i reckon HSC does a bad job with reliability. They seem to basically mix in precision with reliability, or at least the way i've seen it been written about.
but ye, for hsc, treat consistency of data per measurement and per experiment both as reliability.
an example of reliability per experiment, is, do the experiment again with a different batch of the same chemicals, and check if the results from the two experiments match up.
Good point, definitely more of a systematic error. And yes, my teacher confirmed that precision and reliability are usually interchangeable.
Eagle Mum
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2020
- Messages
- 561
- Gender
- Female
- HSC
- N/A
Repeating measurements during the same trial will enable reliability of measurements (ie. precision) to be estimated.
Repeating measurements in repeated trials will enable reliability of experimental design to be assessed, but doesn’t improve reliability unless the factors that cause variation(s) between trials are identified and controlled.
A simple example would be an experiment that sets out to determine how a catalyst affects the rate of a reaction. If the ambient temperature also affects reaction rate, then repeating the experiment throughout the day (eg. different classes perform the experiment during cold mornings vs warm afternoons) might produce different results which reflect on the reliability of the experimental design, whereas multiple groups within the same class each taking measurements of the reaction, with and without the catalyst, during the same experiment trial would address reliability of measurement.
Last edited: