The Matter of Scale Timing Excuse
A number on a scale has produced a complete methodology critique from someone who does not otherwise work in measurement science.
The scale is stepped on at 8:17 AM.
The number is higher than anticipated.
The subject pauses. A rapid assessment of confounding variables begins.
Timing: This reading was taken after breakfast. That is a documented source of variance. A pre-breakfast reading would have been lower. This is almost certainly not a real increase. This is a measurement artifact.
Clothing: Subject is wearing light clothing. Still, clothing adds mass. The true number is slightly lower than displayed.
Water: Heavy dinner last night. Water retention is a known phenomenon. The body will normalize by tomorrow.
Floor: The subject looks down at the floor. Is the floor level? The scale is on tile. The tile is smooth. But the underlying floor could be very slightly uneven, which would affect calibration.
Yesterday: Less exercise than usual. That is a factor, though the mechanism is not fully articulated.
The subject steps off the scale. The subject returns to the scale. Steps on. Same number.
The subject steps off again.
The methodology critique has been delivered. The number stands, correctly identified as a product of timing, water, clothing, and possibly the floor.
The subject will try again tomorrow, before breakfast, in lighter clothing, on a different tile.