Glossary
327
Uncertainty Lack of knowledge about the state of a system or the exact value of a
property. Uncertainty is caused by many different factors that may contribute to the
overall uncertainty surrounding the result of a scientific investigation. Uncertainty
can be reduced by improved data availability and measurement methods. It is
important to differentiate uncertainty and (natural) variability. Variability is a characteristic of a system and cannot be reduced by improved measurement methods.
Variability is inherent to virtually all natural systems and their properties. Examples
relevant in the context of this book include the susceptibility of organisms to a toxic
chemical and the weather conditions affecting the environmental distribution of a
chemical.
327
Uncertainty Lack of knowledge about the state of a system or the exact value of a
property. Uncertainty is caused by many different factors that may contribute to the
overall uncertainty surrounding the result of a scientific investigation. Uncertainty
can be reduced by improved data availability and measurement methods. It is
important to differentiate uncertainty and (natural) variability. Variability is a characteristic of a system and cannot be reduced by improved measurement methods.
Variability is inherent to virtually all natural systems and their properties. Examples
relevant in the context of this book include the susceptibility of organisms to a toxic
chemical and the weather conditions affecting the environmental distribution of a
chemical.