http://www.ece.eps.hw.ac.uk/~amc/mscprojects/lorna_kirkhope/introduction.htm
"....when you can measure what you are speaking about, and express
it in numbers, you know something about it;....."
Lord Kelvin (1824-1907), Institute of Civil Engineers, London, 3rd May 1883.
Measurement is the process of gathering information on variables from the
physical world.
Instruments are the means of gathering information and thus
Instrumentation is the study of instruments and their use or alternately the
technology of measurement.
In order to properly appreciate the subject of instrumentation, a firm
grounding in the fundamental principles of measurement is necessary.
Essential outcomes of the grounding are the ability to
perform a measurement
correctly handle the data gathered,
make critical judgements on the results
present the results in a coherent and meaningful manner.