What term is used for an error that is attributed to a miscalculation by the observer?

The term for an error that arises due to a miscalculation by the observer is known as a blunder. Blunders are typically significant mistakes resulting from carelessness, misreading, or misinterpretation of data, often leading to substantial discrepancies in measurement or results.

Blunders differ from systematic errors, which are consistent inaccuracies that occur due to flaws in the measurement process or instruments, and from random errors, which are unpredictable variations that can occur within the measurement process. Human error may encompass a broader range of mistakes, including both blunders and systematic or random errors that involve human judgment or technique. Identifying blunders is crucial in surveying because they can drastically affect the accuracy and reliability of the results, emphasizing the importance of precision and attention to detail in the field.