1. n. []

A data value that is not correct. This could be caused by a faulty measurement or by incorrect processing of the data.

2. n. []

The difference between a data value and the value predicted by a statistical distribution or other mathematical algorithm. Strictly, normal distributions apply only to random events, but they are often used to describe nonrandom events because their distributions look like approximations to a "bell curve." Under these circumstances, the error is only a measure of deviation from a normal distribution and may not have direct physical significance.