Basic Concepts of Data and Error Analysis With Introductions to Probability and Statistics and to Computer Methods

This introductory textbook explains the concepts and methods of data and error analysis needed for laboratory experiment write-ups, especially physics and engineering experiments. The book contains the material needed for beginning students, e.g., first year university students, college students (enrolled on a certificate or diploma course) and even A-level students. Nevertheless, it also covers the required material for higher year university laboratories, including the final year. Only essential concepts and methods needed for the day-to-day performance of experiments and their subsequent analysis and presentation are included and, at the same time, presented as simply as possible. Non-essential detail is avoided. Chapter five is a stand-alone introduction to probability and statistics aimed at providing a theoretical background to the data and error analysis chapters one to four. Computer methods are introduced in Chapter six. The author hopes this book will serve as a constant reference.