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Session I.2.11
Part I Review of Fundamentals

Module 2 Basic Physics and Mathematics
Used in Radiation Protection

Session 11 Basic Statistics
IAEA Post Graduate Educational Course
Radiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources
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Upon completion of this section the
student should be able to demonstrate
an understanding of the following
statistical concepts:

Precision and
Accuracy
Objectives
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Precision
Precision is an indication of how close
the elements of a series of measurements
are to each other.

It is desirable to have results that are
precise, the results are grouped close
together and not scattered.
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Precision
Good Precision
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Precision
Poor Precision
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Accuracy is a measure of the difference
between a measured value and the true
value, that is, the error.

If the errors of measurement average to
zero, then the system is said to be accurate.

It is desirable to have a system that is
accurate, that is, has results that are close
to the true value.
Accuracy
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Accuracy
Good Accuracy
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Accuracy
Poor Accuracy
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Precision and Accuracy
A system may be precise even though it is
not accurate.

Conversely, a system may be accurate, but
not precise.
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Precision and Accuracy
Good Precision
Good Accuracy
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Precision and Accuracy
Possible
Results
Good
Precision
Poor
Precision
Good
Accuracy
Precise
and
Accurate
Imprecise
but
Accurate
Poor
Accuracy
Precise
but
Inaccurate
Imprecise
and
Inaccurate