Measuring Variables

Accurate and precise measurements and observations are fundamental to the biological sciences, enabling researchers to collect reliable data, draw valid conclusions, and ensure their findings are reproducible.  

The most reliable measurements and observations are both accurate and precise.  Accuracy and precision have distinct meanings in science:

• Accuracy is how close a measurement/observation is to the true or accepted value. Think of a dart player who consistently hits near the bullseye.
• Precision is how close multiple measurements/observations of the same thing are to each other. A precise dart player may hit the same spot every time, but that spot might not be the bullseye. 

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