A few more notes on types of errors
Some originate from the tools used to measure and their use, some from the preparation of the model cells from agar poured into molds and/or the nature of the agar itself, some from the design how the cubes are submerged in the beakers of NaOH [including the timing of the process]. These are all systematic errors (see handout on types of errors). Other errors arise from personal error. These are not so interesting in terms of suggestions for how to correct - do try to avoid the immature statements such as "if we had understood better what we were doing..., if we had better fill-in-the-blank supplies..." etc. in a lab report conclusion. We all continue to improve our lab practice all the time - should be assumed. This lab was using a non-biological model for cells, but when we work with biological systems, we will also encounter and learn to deal with random error, i.e., the inherent variability when a process is measured in a living system.