Bias and Accuracy

Definition of Accuracy is a qualitative term referring to whether there is

Accuracy and agreement between a measurement made on an object and
Bias its true (target or reference) value. Bias is a quantitative
term describing the difference between the average of
measurements made on the same object and its true value.
In particular, for a measurement laboratory, bias is the
difference (generally unknown) between a laboratory's
average value (over time) for a test item and the average
that would be achieved by the reference laboratory if it
undertook the same measurements on the same test item.

Depiction of
bias and
unbiased
Unbiased measurements relative to the target
measurements

Biased measurements relative to the target

Identification Bias in a measurement process can be identified by:

of bias
1. Calibration of standards and/or instruments by a
reference laboratory, where a value is assigned to the
client's standard based on comparisons with the
reference laboratory's standards.
2. Check standards , where violations of the control
limits on a control chart for the check standard
suggest that re-calibration of standards or
instruments is needed.
3. Measurement assurance programs, where artifacts
from a reference laboratory or other qualified agency
are sent to a client and measured in the client's
environment as a 'blind' sample.
4. Interlaboratory comparisons, where reference
standards or materials are circulated among several
laboratories.

Reduction of Bias can be eliminated or reduced by calibration of

bias standards and/or instruments. Because of costs and time
constraints, the majority of calibrations are performed by
secondary or tertiary laboratories and are related to the
reference base via a chain of intercomparisons that start at
the reference laboratory.
 Bias can also be reduced by corrections to in-house
measurements based on comparisons with artifacts or
instruments circulated for that purpose (reference materials).

Caution Errors that contribute to bias can be present even where all
equipment and standards are properly calibrated and under
control. Temperature probably has the most potential for
introducing this type of bias into the measurements. For
example, a constant heat source will introduce serious errors
in dimensional measurements of metal objects. Temperature
affects chemical and electrical measurements as well.

Generally speaking, errors of this type can be identified only

by those who are thoroughly familiar with the measurement
technology. The reader is advised to consult the technical
literature and experts in the field for guidance.