Cause Verse Effect

Cause verse Effect Accuracy verse Precision

causen.

a. The producer of an effect, result, or consequence.

b. The one, such as a person, event, or condition, that is responsible for an action or result.

effectn.

1. Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result.

2. The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result; influence: The drug had an immediate effect on the pain. The government's action had no effect on the trade imbalance.

accuracy(kyr--s) ???what the heck is that

1. Conformity to fact.

2. Precision; exactness.

3. The ability of a measurement to match the actual value of the quantity being measured.

precision(pr-szhn)that looks like a Led Zeppelin Album Cover

1. The state or quality of being precise; exactness.

a. The ability of a measurement to be consistently reproduced.

b. The number of significant digits to which a value has been reliably measured.

Fix a problem cause a catastrophe.

A lot of times we go about solving a problem by a direct cause to effect relationship. And many times it will help us. The real problem is when we have more causes than effects. Like the example of the gas and water in the lawn mower problem. The water was a cause for sure but it was not changing the gasoline but rather the jarring of the carb and moving the butterfly valve back to correct position that it made appeared the gas was bad.

The scientific method was focused on a specific cause then tried to prove that the theory was wrong. If there was another possible cause then that needs to be investigated.

Thinking of a single cause for a single effect has the ability to produce unintended consequences.

I found this from for a science class they are teaching. I think this really clears up the difference between accuracy and precision

The dictionary definitions of these two words do not clearly make the distinction as it is used in the science of measurement.

Accurate means "capable of providing a correct reading or measurement." In physical science it means 'correct'. A measurement is accurate if it correctly reflects the size of the thing being measured.

Precise means "exact, as in performance, execution, or amount. "In physical science it means "repeatable, reliable, getting the same measurement each time."

We can never make a perfect measurement. The best we can do is to come as close as possible within the limitations of the measuring instruments.

Let's use a model to demonstrate the difference.

Precise, Not Accurate

This is a precise pattern, but not accurate. The darts are clustered together but did not hit the intended mark.

Neither Precise Nor Accurate

This is a randomlike pattern, neither precise nor accurate. The darts are not clustered together and are not near the bull's eye.

Precise and Accurate

This pattern is both precise and accurate. The darts are tightly clustered and their average position is the center of the bull's eye.

Accurate, Not Precise

This is an accurate pattern, but not precise. The darts are not clustered, but their 'average' position is the center of the bull's eye.

Suppose you are aiming at a target, trying to hit the bull's eye (the center of the target) with each of five darts. Here are some representative pattern of darts in the target.

Does that help to understand the distinction between accuracy and precision as the terms are used in the science of measurement?

If not, think about the patterns. In each case did you hit the target where you aimed? Which one represents 'repeatability or reliability'? Which one represents 'correct but sloppy'?