Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40561411›Full record

ReviewArhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju2025

Theory of random measurement errors: concepts, uses, and misuses.

Branimir Zauner, Branko Petrinec, Tomislav Bituh, Saša Ceci, Nikola Volarić, Aleksandar Včev, Andrea Vukoja, Dinko Babić

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Branimir ZaunerInstitute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
Branko PetrinecInstitute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
Tomislav BituhInstitute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
Saša CeciRuđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
Nikola VolarićJosip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia.
Aleksandar VčevJosip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia.
Andrea VukojaJosip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Osijek, Croatia.
Dinko BabićInstitute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8391-9009

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

We present an overview of the theory of random measurement errors, focusing on the underlying concepts rather than on a strict mathematical formulation. Although the related literature is extensive, one can frequently encounter partly or completely wrong usages of the theory. In many cases, these misuses stem from incomplete understanding of the basic principles. Our presentation is based on a discussion on similarities and differences between this theory and statistics, as they are used differently in analysing the results of an experiment. In statistics, the central parameters are the mean and standard deviation, which are related to a given statistical distribution. In the theory of random measurement errors, the mean has a different meaning, representing the best estimate of the true value of a measured quantity. The second parameter of importance is not standard deviation but the uncertainty of the mean, which sets the probability that the true value lies in a given interval around the mean. These conceptual differences are seldom pointed out, which sometimes results in doubtful or wrong analyses and presentations of measurement results. We illustrate our theoretical considerations with examples of proper and improper use of the theory.

Indexed as

Models, StatisticalData Interpretation, StatisticalHumansmean valuenepouzdanost srednje vrijednostirelative uncertaintyrelativna nepouzdanostsrednja vrijednoststatisticsstatistikauncertainty of the mean

Identifiers

PMID40561411
PMCPMC12193987

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.