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“BAD” DATA

Explore the phenomenon of "bad" data and the valuable insights they can provide. Discover various sources of errors in data collection and analysis and how to respond to unexpected results. Gain knowledge and improve your research techniques.

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“BAD” DATA

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  1. “BAD” DATA e Sun e Sun

  2. Overview • Bad Data • Learning from unexpected results • Isotherm Analysis • Research

  3. Sources of “Bad” Data • Error in preparation of samples • mass or volume measurement error • contamination • improper storage • sample substitution • sample loss • samples with high heterogeneity • Apparatus failures • leaks • incompatible materials • inadequate control of an important parameter

  4. Instrument Errors • detector malfunction • below detection limit or above maximum • interference • software (instrument or computer) • hardware (analog to digital converter, power supply,...) • calibration

  5. More sources of “Bad Data” • Error in data analysis • numerical error (data entry) • units (classic errors of factors of 10 and factors of 1000) • incorrectly applied theory • Error in theory

  6. Bad Data aren’t Bad! • “Bad” data usually means the results were unexpected • perhaps unorthodox! • Copernicus “Concerning the Revolutions of the Celestial Bodies”1543 • Papal Index of forbidden books until 1835 • _____________________ • Data do not lie! • Data always mean something • If you ignore data that you don’t understand you are missing an opportunity to learn Bad data for 292 years!

  7. Unexpected Results • Lack of repeatability (poor precision) • scatter for all data • outlier • systemic error

  8. e Sun Sun e Unexpected Results • Inconsistent with theory • mass balances indicate loss or gain of mass • inconsistent with previous results

  9. Responses to Unexpected Results • Determine accuracy of technique by analyzing known samples • Determine precision of technique by analyzing replicates • Evaluate propagation of errors through analysis • are you trying to measure the difference between two large numbers? • is the precision of the measurement similar to the magnitude of the estimate? • Are you not controlling an important parameter? • Is the parameter that you are studying insignificant?

  10. Isotherm Analysis Pointers • Units • Express mass of VOC in grams • Express concentrations as g per mL • Remember GC injection volume was 0.1 mL • Use names to keep track of parameters in spreadsheet • Build sheet from left to right

  11. More Pointers • Soil density = 1.6 g/mL • Soil moisture content is 13% • Soil mass was close to 20 g • Analyze the 4 data sets as sets • Use the data from one group to calculate a single value for each parameter • You will get 4 estimates for each parameter spreadsheet

  12. Why is a small fs a measurement problem?

  13. water water EPICS Error Analysis • Assume 10% error in measuring gas concentrations • What are the maximum and minimum values of mass in liquid phase? low solubility high solubility (10 ± 1) – (9 ± 0.9) (10 ± 1) –( 1 ± 0.1) 11 – 8.1 = 2.9 11 – 0.9 = 10.1 9 – 9.9 = -0.9 9 – 1.1 = 7.9

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