Training: Error Analysis

Every numerical value in experimental biology, measured or derived, has an inherent uncertainty, or error. Understanding, interpretation and estimating errors can be hard. This series of lectures will explain the meaning of errors and show how these can be calculated in typical biological applications.

Topics covered by the lectures are as follows:

1. Probability distributions
2. Random errors, statistical estimators
3. Confidence intervals I
4. Confidence intervals II
5. Error bars, quoting numbers and errors
6. Error propagation, linear regression errors

Videos and lecture notes from this lecture series in 2014 are available on the training resources page.

Pre-registration is not required to attend this lecture series.

After completing this module, participants will:

• Understand the meaning of error in a mathematical context
• Understand how to determine the error associated with a dataset
• Understand the use of confidence intervals to represent the range in which an error may lie
• Understand how to represent error when reporting results

• Attendance of OPD workshop ‘An Introduction to the Elements of Modern Statistical Modelling Using the Language R’ workshop is highly recommended.

Not currently scheduled