Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this practice is to present concepts necessary to the understanding of the terms “precision” and “bias” as used in quantitative test methods. This practice also describes methods of expressing precision and bias and, in a final section, gives examples of how statements on precision and bias may be written for ASTM test methods. A statement of precision allows potential users of a test method to assess in general terms the test method’s usefulness with respect to variability in proposed applications.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Part A of the “Blue Book,” Form and Style for ASTM Standards, requires that all test methods include statements of precision and bias. This practice discusses these two concepts and provides guidance for their use in statements about test methods.  
4.2 Precision—A statement of precision allows potential users of a test method to assess in general terms the test method’s usefulness with respect to variability in proposed applications. A statement of precision is not intended to exhibit values that can be exactly duplicated in every user’s laboratory. Instead, the statement provides guidelines as to the magnitude of variability that can be expected between test results when the method is used in one, or in two or more, reasonably competent laboratories. For a discussion of precision, see 8.1.  
4.3 Bias—A statement of bias furnishes guidelines on the relationship between a set of typical test results produced by the test method under specific test conditions and a related set of accepted reference values (see 9.1).  
4.3.1 An alternative term for bias is trueness, which has a positive connotation, in that greater bias is associated with less favorable trueness. Trueness is the systematic component of accuracy.  
4.4 Accuracy—The term “accuracy,” used in earlier editions of Practice E177, embraces both precision and bias (see 9.3).
SCOPE
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to present concepts necessary to the understanding of the terms “precision” and “bias” as used in quantitative test methods. This practice also describes methods of expressing precision and bias and, in a final section, gives examples of how statements on precision and bias may be written for ASTM test methods.  
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
30-Sep-2020
Current Stage
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Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E177 − 20 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
1
Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E177; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terminology E456 provides a more exten-
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to present concepts
sive list of terms in E11 standards.
necessary to the understanding of the terms “precision” and
3.1.1 accepted reference value, n—a value that serves as an
“bias” as used in quantitative test methods. This practice also
agreed-upon reference for comparison, and which is derived
describes methods of expressing precision and bias and, in a
as: (1) a theoretical or established value, based on scientific
final section, gives examples of how statements on precision
principles, (2) an assigned or certified value, based on experi-
and bias may be written for ASTM test methods.
mental work of some national or international organization, or
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
(3) a consensus or certified value, based on collaborative
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
experimental work under the auspices of a scientific or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
engineering group.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.1.1 Discussion—A national or international
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
organization, referred to in 3.1.1 (2), generally maintains
measurement standards to which the reference values obtained
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
are traceable.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.2 accuracy, n—the closeness of agreement between a
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
test result and an accepted reference value.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.2.1 Discussion—The term accuracy, when applied to a
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
set of test results, involves a combination of a random
component and of a common systematic error or bias compo-
nent.
2. Referenced Documents
2
3.1.3 bias, n—the difference between the expectation of the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
test results and an accepted reference value.
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Bias is the total systematic error as
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
contrasted to random error. There may be one or more
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
systematic error components contributing to the bias. A larger
E1488 GuideforStatisticalProcedurestoUseinDeveloping
systematic difference from the accepted reference value is
and Applying Test Methods
reflected by a larger bias value.
E2282 Guide for Defining the Test Result of a Test Method
3.1.4 characteristic, n—a property of items in a sample or
E2586 Practice for Calculating and Using Basic Statistics
population which, when measured, counted or otherwise
E2587 Practice for Use of Control Charts in Statistical
observed, helps to distinguish between the items. E2282
Process Control
3.1.5 coeffıcient of variation, CV, n—for a nonnegative
characteristic, the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean
for a population or sample. E2586
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E11 on Quality and
Statistics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E11.20 on Test Method
3.1.6 intermediate precision, n—precision of test results
Evaluation and Quality Control.
from tests conducted on identical material by the same test
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2020. Originally
method in a single laboratory at the same or various times with
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as E177 – 19. DOI:
10.1520/E0177-20.
oneormoreknownsourcesofvariabilitycontrolledatmultiple
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
levels.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3.1.6.1 Discussion—Sources of variability may include, but
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. are not limited to, operators, equ
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E177 − 19 E177 − 20 An American National Standard
Standard Practice for
1
Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E177; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to present concepts necessary to the understanding of the terms “precision” and “bias” as used
in quantitative test methods. This practice also describes methods of expressing precision and bias and, in a final section, gives
examples of how statements on precision and bias may be written for ASTM test methods.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
E1488 Guide for Statistical Procedures to Use in Developing and Applying Test Methods
E2282 Guide for Defining the Test Result of a Test Method
E2586 Practice for Calculating and Using Basic Statistics
E2587 Practice for Use of Control Charts in Statistical Process Control
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Terminology E456 provides a more extensive list of terms in E11 standards.
3.1.1 accepted reference value, n—a value that serves as an agreed-upon reference for comparison, and which is derived as: (1)
a theoretical or established value, based on scientific principles, (2) an assigned or certified value, based on experimental work of
some national or international organization, or (3) a consensus or certified value, based on collaborative experimental work under
the auspices of a scientific or engineering group.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
A national or international organization, referred to in 3.1.1 (2), generally maintains measurement standards to which the reference
values obtained are traceable.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E11 on Quality and Statistics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E11.20 on Test Method
Evaluation and Quality Control.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2019Oct. 1, 2020. Published December 2019October 2020. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 20142019
as E177 – 14.E177 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/E0177-19.10.1520/E0177-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E177 − 20
3.1.2 accuracy, n—the closeness of agreement between a test result and an accepted reference value.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
The term accuracy, when applied to a set of test results, involves a combination of a random component and of a common
systematic error or bias component.
3.1.3 bias, n—the difference between the expectation of the test results and an accepted reference value.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
Bias is the total systematic error as contrasted to random error. There may be one or more systematic error components contributing
to the bias. A larger systematic difference from the accepted reference value is reflected by a larger bias value.
3.1.4 characteristic, n—a property of items in a sample or population which, when measured, counted or otherwise observed,
helps to distinguish between the items. E2282
3.1.5 coeffıcient of variation, CV, n—for a nonnegative characteristic, the ratio of the standard deviation to t
...

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