The book targets scientists and researchers focused on experimentation in the fields of physics, chemistry and engineering, as well as graduate-level students studying these sciences in an applied way. The central point is the uncertainty in measurements: what are the causes of uncertainty and how do we deal with it? The possible causes of uncertainty are at first phenomenologically explored, leading to understand the necessity of a formal treatment based on probability theory and statistical tools. The basics of probability and statistics are then introduced, in order to support the most relevant data analysis procedures, which are introduced in the last part of the book: uncertainty in indirect measurements, least squares fits, chi square test, confidence intervals.
The pedagogical goal is to introduce the treatment of uncertainty in a phenomenological way, based on examples taken from laboratory experience and distinguishing the different causes of uncertainty (there is more than just random errors and gaussian distributions to consider in laboratory practice). This approach naturally leads to the idea of limiting distributions and the necessity of a probabilistic treatment. Only then is probability theory introduced in a formal way (Part 2) and data analysis procedures are developed on the basis of probability and statistics (Part 3). Examples taken from laboratory experience facilitate the understanding of the concepts of Part 2 and 3. Some heavy demonstrations and some mathematical complements are grouped in one Appendix, to facilitate the smooth reading of the main chapters.
The pedagogical goal is to introduce the treatment of uncertainty in a phenomenological way, based on examples taken from laboratory experience and distinguishing the different causes of uncertainty (there is more than just random errors and gaussian distributions to consider in laboratory practice). This approach naturally leads to the idea of limiting distributions and the necessity of a probabilistic treatment. Only then is probability theory introduced in a formal way (Part 2) and data analysis procedures are developed on the basis of probability and statistics (Part 3). Examples taken from laboratory experience facilitate the understanding of the concepts of Part 2 and 3. Some heavy demonstrations and some mathematical complements are grouped in one Appendix, to facilitate the smooth reading of the main chapters.
From the reviews:
"Aiming to fill the gap between tutorial-type resources and specialized treatises, this volume, which has been tested by Fornasini's students in laboratory courses, offers a very clear, concise didactic approach to evaluating uncertainty. Actual worked examples are noted throughout the text, along with numerous figures depicting representative problems. Fornasini ... addresses issues of uncertainty concerning significant digits and rounding, use of instruments, a posteriori evaluations, moments of several probability distributions, and indirect measurements. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, researchers, and faculty." (D. J. Gougeon, Choice, Vol. 46 (10), June, 2009)
"The aim of this book ... is to describe the nature of uncertainty in physical experiments and to provide the useful statistical tools for data analysis. ... The present material is mainly addressed to the undergraduate students but could be applied by the researchers ... and by the secondary school teachers as well. ... we recommend this useful book for wide audience of readers without advanced knowledge of modern Mathematics." (Alexander V. Bulinski, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1163, 2009)
"This is a book that arose from the author's 'long-lasting teaching experience' in the Department of Physics of the University of Trento ... . the author found a gap between the elementary texts used ... and the more sophisticated books written for those with an extensive background in higher mathematics. This book attempts to fill that gap. ... helpful to many students and indeed researchers. ... many of us involved in radiation dosimetry would find much of help in this volume in our day-to-day work." (Ralph H. Thomas, Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Vol. 140 (1), 2010)
"Aiming to fill the gap between tutorial-type resources and specialized treatises, this volume, which has been tested by Fornasini's students in laboratory courses, offers a very clear, concise didactic approach to evaluating uncertainty. Actual worked examples are noted throughout the text, along with numerous figures depicting representative problems. Fornasini ... addresses issues of uncertainty concerning significant digits and rounding, use of instruments, a posteriori evaluations, moments of several probability distributions, and indirect measurements. ... Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, researchers, and faculty." (D. J. Gougeon, Choice, Vol. 46 (10), June, 2009)
"The aim of this book ... is to describe the nature of uncertainty in physical experiments and to provide the useful statistical tools for data analysis. ... The present material is mainly addressed to the undergraduate students but could be applied by the researchers ... and by the secondary school teachers as well. ... we recommend this useful book for wide audience of readers without advanced knowledge of modern Mathematics." (Alexander V. Bulinski, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1163, 2009)
"This is a book that arose from the author's 'long-lasting teaching experience' in the Department of Physics of the University of Trento ... . the author found a gap between the elementary texts used ... and the more sophisticated books written for those with an extensive background in higher mathematics. This book attempts to fill that gap. ... helpful to many students and indeed researchers. ... many of us involved in radiation dosimetry would find much of help in this volume in our day-to-day work." (Ralph H. Thomas, Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Vol. 140 (1), 2010)