What does systematic error typically result from in an experiment?

Systematic error typically arises from issues related to instrument calibration. When instruments used in experiments are miscalibrated or not properly adjusted, they consistently produce measurements that are offset from the true value. This can lead to a systematic bias in the results, where every measurement is skewed in the same direction, affecting the accuracy of the data collected.

In contrast, random errors may result from inconsistencies in measurements, human factors, or natural variations that do not consistently affect the results in the same way. While these can impact precision, they do not represent the steady drift associated with systematic errors due to calibration problems. Understanding the origin of systematic errors is crucial for improving the reliability and validity of experimental outcomes.