A qualitative term describing the (lack of) systematic uncertainties. A measurement said to be “higher accuracy” would have smaller uncertainties associated with systematic effects. Note that it is possible to have a high accuracy measurement in the presence of large random effects.
Comments
This definition is not in agreement with the VIM (International vocabulary of metrology):
"closeness of agreement between a measured quantity value and a true quantity value of a measurand"
This definition rather agrees to VIM's concept of "trueness".
Also note that "lack of systematic uncertainties" would be better "lack of uncertainty due to systematic effects".
Thank you for your comments Steven. Am I right that you have been developing a vocabulary through your projects that links to other definitions out there? I think perhaps we should share and swap notes. Please do get in touch.
You make an important point and we should probably adjust our definition. I must admit that I have been rather trained out of using the word "accuracy" completely - and my definition may have come from an earlier version of the VIM.
Add new comment