All Module: Key Terms

Question 1

Define the word Accuracy.

Answer 1

A measurement result is considered accurate if it is judged to be close to the true value.

Question 2

Define the word Error.

Answer 2

The difference between an individual measurement result and the true value.

Question 3

Define the word Precision.

Answer 3

The closeness of agreement between independent measurements obtained under the same conditions. It depends only on the distribution of random errors and does not relate to the true value.

Question 4

Define the word Uncertainty.

Answer 4

An estimate attached to a measurement which characterises the range of values within which the true value is said to lie. Written as e.g. +/- 0.04.

Question 5

Define the word Reliability.

Answer 5

Opposite of uncertainty; high uncertainty= not very reliable measurement.