What is meant by systematic error?

Systematic error refers to consistent and repeatable inaccuracies that occur in measurements. These errors will consistently skew results in one direction, whether higher or lower than the true value, due to a specific cause. This can arise from faulty calibration of measuring instruments or a biased sampling method.

For instance, if a scale is improperly calibrated to always add a pound to every weight reading, every measurement will consistently show a weight that is one pound over the actual weight. This type of error can often be identified and corrected, unlike random errors which fluctuate and can lead to wide variability in measurements.

Understanding systematic errors is crucial for improving the accuracy and reliability of data in experiments and studies, as they can mislead conclusions if not accounted for.