If an experimenter consistently makes the same mistake when pipetting solutions (e.g., using the incorrect 'stop'), should the mistake be categorized as systematic error or random error?

Question

Question 25 options:

systematic error

random error

Answer 1

The mistake should be categorized as a systematic error.

Systematic errors are consistent and repeatable inaccuracies that occur due to a flaw in the measurement system, such as consistently using the incorrect 'stop' while pipetting. In contrast, random errors are unpredictable fluctuations that can arise from various factors and do not follow a consistent pattern. Since the experimenter is consistently making the same mistake, it falls under systematic error.