Accuracy vs. Uncertainty

[nikkoderic]

Hello! I just want to ask whats the difference between accuracy and uncertainty. I already did try to search it on google but I still dont get it. All I understood is that accuracy is qualitative and uncertainty is quantitative. I want to know the difference between the two in practical terms. Apologies for my crude english. If you didnt get my question then maybe share your insight about these two. Thanks!

[nfmax]

The official definitions are available from the JCGM (Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology) on-line vocabulary here: http://www.iso.org/sites/JCGM/VIM/JCGM_200e_FILES/MAIN_JCGM_200e/Start_e.html. Accuracy is defined at 2.13 and uncertainty at 2.26. There is an equivalent French language guide on the same suite, if that is easier for you.

And congratulations on asking this question on World Metrology Day! http://www.worldmetrologyday.org/

[Asmyldof]

Simply put it comes down to this;
The accuracy is how much a single measurement expresses the actual value. In other words: Off by how much can your measurement be.

The uncertainty describes how much the variation in the accuracy can be of a set of measurements. So, if you do 10 measurements you get 10 different results. The "distance" between those results can be considered a term of uncertainty.

For example, if you shoot at a target with a single gun:
The accuracy of your gun is the definition of, assuming your aim is perfect at the bullseye of your target, how much off each shot can be at maximum.
The uncertainty can be a description of the variation of that accuracy.

In most metrology accuracy can be compensated in part, but uncertainty is an absolute statistical and cannot be "tuned out".
In um movement systems people often are more scared of uncertainty than inaccuracy.

EDIT: It can be more complex in situations and of course in both there's a lot of maths which can link them, but for understanding's sake I left out some of the commas and caveats.

[suicidaleggroll]

Simply put it comes down to this;
The accuracy is how much a single measurement expresses the actual value. In other words: Off by how much can your measurement be.

The uncertainty describes how much the variation in the accuracy can be of a set of measurements. So, if you do 10 measurements you get 10 different results. The "distance" between those results can be considered a term of uncertainty.

That's precision, not uncertainty.

Accuracy is how far "off target" your average measurement is.
Precision is the spread of your measurements.
Uncertainty is the combination of accuracy and precision, it's the "catch all" if you will.

You can have high accuracy but low precision, you can have high precision but low accuracy, but in either case you have poor uncertainty.  The only way to have good uncertainty is with both high accuracy and high precision.

At least that's the way I've always understood it.

[tggzzz]

Simply put it comes down to this;
The accuracy is how much a single measurement expresses the actual value. In other words: Off by how much can your measurement be.

The uncertainty describes how much the variation in the accuracy can be of a set of measurements. So, if you do 10 measurements you get 10 different results. The "distance" between those results can be considered a term of uncertainty.

I know of one instrument which had a stability and repeatability of 0.001dB, and an accuracy of 0.1dB.

Since it was designed to measure changes in a cable's impedance as a function of temperature, nobody gave a damn about the accuracy. When it takes a week to do a temperature test, you need an instrument that is stable/repeatable over at least that timescale.

[tggzzz]

The official definitions are available from the JCGM (Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology) on-line vocabulary here: http://www.iso.org/sites/JCGM/VIM/JCGM_200e_FILES/MAIN_JCGM_200e/Start_e.html. Accuracy is defined at 2.13 and uncertainty at 2.26. There is an equivalent French language guide on the same suite, if that is easier for you.

And congratulations on asking this question on World Metrology Day! http://www.worldmetrologyday.org/

Useful; thanks.

[Asmyldof]

That's precision, not uncertainty.

Accuracy is how far "off target" your average measurement is.
Precision is the spread of your measurements.
Uncertainty is the combination of accuracy and precision, it's the "catch all" if you will.

(...)

At least that's the way I've always understood it.

You are right, of course. Corrected, I stand it.