How to Define Reliable Test Results

In today’s environment of fast technological advancement, to attain a competitive advantage, engineers and designers are routinely pushing the limits of physics in developing enhanced and new materials.

Globalization has simultaneously resulted in international supply chains and the separation of production facilities from research.

Therefore, it is absolutely crucial for both R&D and quality assurance that test results are repeatable, accurate, traceable, reproducible and ultimately, reliable.

How to Define Reliable Test Results

Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG

Reliable Test Results Defined

Whether designing completely custom solutions or performing highly standardized tests, ZwickRoell looks at each challenge in materials testing with the same motivation – to achieve the most reliable results possible.

To accomplish this they consider the following questions:

  • Are the results repeatable?
  • Are they reproducible, comparing similar measuring equipment?
  • Does the measurement equipment utilized fulfill all regulations and standards required?
  • Are the test results truly accurate?
  • Is it possible to trace who has done what, when, and how?

Accurate

How to Define Reliable Test Results

Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG

Measurements that are precise and true are accurate

  • Precision is the closeness of agreement between individual test results found under stipulated conditions. Meaning individual test results that are close to each other are precise, while individual test results that are not close to each other are not precise.
  • Trueness describes the closeness of agreement between the average of individual test results and a reference value. Meaning the result is true when the average value of individual test results is close to the reference value. And not true when there is a large difference between average value and reference value.

Individual test results that are close to each other and in average are close to the reference value, are accurate.

Repeatable

How to Define Reliable Test Results

Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG

Repeatability is precision under repeat conditions

  • The same measurement procedure
  • The same location
  • The same test conditions
  • The same measuring equipment
  • The same operator
  • The repetition of measurements within short intervals of time is the only variable factor

Reproducible

How to Define Reliable Test Results

Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG

Reproducible is precision under reproducible conditions

  • The same measurement procedure
  • With multiple operators
  • Similar measuring equipment
  • Under varying test conditions
  • Generally at different locations
  • Performing measurements over lengthy time periods

Traceable

How to Define Reliable Test Results

Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG

Traceable refers to the full and complete documentation of a measurement result

  • How the test result was determined
  • Under which conditions
  • When was it determined
  • Where was the measurement carried out
  • Who carried out the measurement

ImageForArticle_19184_15862581379507582.png

Image Credit: ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG.

For more information on this source, please visit ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG. (2022, November 24). How to Define Reliable Test Results. AZoM. Retrieved on December 02, 2024 from https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19184.

  • MLA

    ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG. "How to Define Reliable Test Results". AZoM. 02 December 2024. <https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19184>.

  • Chicago

    ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG. "How to Define Reliable Test Results". AZoM. https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19184. (accessed December 02, 2024).

  • Harvard

    ZwickRoell GmbH Co. KG. 2022. How to Define Reliable Test Results. AZoM, viewed 02 December 2024, https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19184.

Ask A Question

Do you have a question you'd like to ask regarding this article?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.