Chemistry 26.

1: Introduction to Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory

2nd Semester AY1819
Data Sheet

Name: Alaba, Jaimie B.

Section: Chem 26.1 WFX/WFUV2-1

EXPERIMENT #1
APPLICATION OF STATISTICAL CONCEPTS IN THE DETERMINATION OF
WEIGHT VARIATION IN SAMPLES

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:
1. In the experiment, what is considered the “population” and the “sample”? What is the
principal goal of sampling, in general (10 pts)?
The population is the set of all new series 25- centavo coins and the sample is the set of 10
randomly selected new series 25-centavo coins.

2. Why is there a need to gather replicate/ repeat measurements (10 pts)?

Repeating measurements enables the researcher to check the reproducibility of the
measurements1 and afterwards, be able to estimate the uncertainty of the values.

3. Discuss on an organized manner the applicability and limitations of the different statistical
parameters in assessing accuracy and precision (20 pts)?
STATISTICAL PARAMETER
Absolute Error (accuracy)
Relative Error (accuracy)
Variance (precision)
Standard Deviation
(precision)
Relative Standard Dev.
(precision) (expressed in
ppt)
Coefficient of Variation
(precision) (expressed in
%)
Pooled Standard Dev.
SIGNIFICANCE LIMITATION
Refers to amount of
physical error in a
measurement2
Gives an indication of how
good a measurement is
relative to the
size of the thing being
measured2
Represents the spread of
the repeated
measurements either side
of the mean3 Outliers skew the results
Similar to variance but
already has the same
units as the
measurement3
The ratio of the standard
Relies on standard dev.
deviation to the mean4.
used to calculate Relies on standard dev.
 (precision)
Range (precision)
Relative Range (precision)
reproducibility5
Gives a value for the
difference of the highest
measurement and the
lowest measurement4
Ratio of range to the mean

4. Elaborate on the confidence interval, its purpose, and the effect of factors on its range (10
pts).
The confidence interval estimates a range of values where an unknown population
parameter is likely to be found6. Based on the formula for confidence interval, we can
conclude that the bigger the sample/population, the smaller the distance between the
computed lower value and the computed higher value.

5. Expound on the relevance of the Grubbs Test (10 pts)

The Grubb’s test is used to identify outliers in an approximately normal distribution7. It is
important to detect outliers as they can distort some statistical parameters such as the
mean and standard deviation. This can result to the inaccuracy of the conclusions of the
experiment.

6. Which between Data Set 1 and 2 is more accurate? Precise? Expound (10 pts).
Based on the standard deviation and its definition, Data Set 2 is more precise. The new
series 25-centavo coin weighs 3.60g8. Through this information, we can conclude that Data
Set 2 is more accurate because the average weight of those in Data Set 2 is closer to the
official weight stated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

BONUS: Classify errors probably committed in the experiment (10 pts.)

Systematic
Instrumental Error:
- The analytical balance available in the measuring room was oversensitive, causing
inaccurate readings9.
Random
Environmental Error:
- Mechanical vibrations due to the movement of the table where the balanced was
placed may have caused inaccurate readings9.
APPENDIX (30 pts):
References:
(1) Multiple Measurements
https://www2.southeastern.edu/Academics/Faculty/rallain/plab193/labinfo/Error_An
alysis/08_Multiple_Measurements.html (accessed Jan 31, 2019).
(2) Statistics in Analytical Chemistry - Stats (3)
https://www.chem.utoronto.ca/coursenotes/analsci/stats/MeasMeanVar.html
(accessed Jan 31, 2019).
(3) Statistics in Analytical Chemistry - Stats (3)
https://www.chem.utoronto.ca/coursenotes/analsci/stats/MeasMeanVar.html
(accessed Jan 31, 2019).
(4) Everitt, B.; Skrondal, A. The Cambridge dictionary of statistics; Cambridge
University Press: Cambridge, UK, 2010.
(5) Leito, I.; Jalukse, L.; Helm, I. Estimation of measurement uncertainty in chemical
analysis (analytical chemistry) course; 2015.
(6) Confidence Intervals
http://www.stat.yale.edu/Courses/1997-98/101/confint.htm (accessed Jan 31, 2019).
(7) 1.3.5.17.1. Grubbs' Test for Outliers
https://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda35h1.htm (accessed Jan
31, 2019).
(8) Frequently Asked Questions; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (accessed Jan 31, 2019).
(PDF)
(9) Types of Experimental Errors
http://writeonline.ca/media/documents/LabReport_TypesOfExperimentalErrors.pdf
(accessed Jan 31, 2019).