Certain things to know about uncertainty estimation

Certain things to know about uncertainty estimation For uncertainty to become truly meaningful it must try to address the entire measuring process which might have uncertain factors associated with equipment calibration and resolution, operator skill, and sample variation.

Some of the crucial sources of uncertainty are operator skill and sample variability. They become the only sources of uncertainty when you evaluate the repeatability of measurement. A thorough analysis considers other sources of uncertainty as well. Besides considering repeatability evaluation, uncertainty estimation must consider standard calibration, instrumentation, and the instrumentation resolution.

What are the various steps involved in uncertainty estimation?

The first step that controls and characterises uncertainty measurement is defining measure and as clearly and as explicitly as possible. It is important to first know what needs uncertainty measuring. You must try to determine the required level of accuracy and precision, and whether the precision is available with available equipment. For uncertainty measurement you must make sure that equipment is effectively calibrated. Use ISO reference standard for verifying the equipment. If, in the process, you find any systematic error, then you must record the value of the error so that it is eliminated with some correction to the measurement data. Test samples must be identified to prevent any kind of mixup and you must also mark the location of measurements to permit the repeat measurement of the same locations.

It is important to evaluate the uncertainty factors, so that measurement and repeatability is carried out. Measurement must be sensitive so as to produce scattered reading.