Integrating Measurement Uncertainty Analysis into Laboratory Education for the Development of Critical Thinking and Practical Skills

Laboratories
that have successfully passed an accredited
laboratory
program need to validate their methods, a requirement that should
extend to all types of testing laboratories. Such validation includes
the performance of uncertainty analysis. However, the teaching and
practice of concepts of measurement uncertainty analysis remain underemphasized
in most science degrees. In this study, a laboratory session is proposed
to introduce students to the in-house calibration of a laboratory
balance. It provides valuable hands-on experience for students to
understand measurement uncertainty analysis, particularly in the context
of balance calibration. By involving students in calculating uncertainty
and critically evaluating the relevance of their results, the session
not only teaches specific skills but also nurtures important aspects
of scientific thinking. A bottom-up approach is employed in which
students use their knowledge to assess the significance of information.
This proves to be an effective method for promoting critical thinking,
encouraging students to actively engage with the material and apply
their judgment, which is crucial for developing their scientific reasoning
abilities. Furthermore, by incorporating concepts such as the minimum
weight for accurate measurements, practical relevance is added to
the exercise, helping students understand the real-world implications
of uncertainty analysis in experimental work. By bridging theoretical
concepts with practical applications, students gain a deeper appreciation
of the importance of uncertainty in scientific research.