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5791 Basic Uncertainty Concepts

This 2-hour webinar provides a very basic introduction to uncertainty calculations and reporting using the 8-step process published in NIST SOP 29 (NISTIR 6969), beginning with some definitions and concepts from the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and includes some simple calculations.  NOTE: The content is similar to what is covered in the Fundamentals of Metrology seminar and is a useful pre-cursor or review for content covered during the course and includes calculations and an integrated application quiz. The session ends with an optional 30 minute session for Questions and Answers.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, using SOP 29 and course notes, participants will be able to:

  • DEFINE: standard uncertainty, expanded uncertainty, coverage factor, Type A methods, Type B methods;  
  • DESCRIBE the importance of knowing and evaluating measurement uncertainty; ;
  • Be able to: SPECIFY, IDENTIFY, QUANTIFY, CONVERT, COMBINE, EXPAND, EVALUATE, and REPORT uncertainties for a simple scenario;
  • EXPLAIN the concepts of uncertainty and its relationship to metrological traceability;
  • IDENTIFY documentation requirements for uncertainty calculations within a calibration laboratory; and
  • IMPLEMENT an uncertainty budget based on concepts presented in NISTIR 6969, SOP 29 and the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement.

Materials & Supplies

None.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this webinar. Knowledge of basic mathematics and statistics is expected and must be used for successful completion.

Pre-Work

Read NISTIR 6969, SOP 29

Pre-Work Deadline

Must be completed prior to webinar.

Post-Work

Submit Student Notes (Highlights, Applications, and Application Quiz).

Post-Work Deadline

Post-work must be submitted to instructors by Thursday, March 24, 2022.

Minimum Requirements

Successful Completion includes completing pre- and post-work assignments, full attendance and participation in the session activities and discussion, including the integrated quiz/calculations.

Audience

Laboratory metrology staff and administrators who are new to uncertainty calculations or who would like to review the 8-step process of SOP 29.  The session would also be useful for metrology staff who will be conducting on-the-job-training for new staff members.

Cost

The current registration fee for webinars is $289.  Registration fees for State weights and measures regulatory officials and metrologists are funded by NIST OWM.

Instructors

Micheal Hicks, Daniel Walker (OH)
Email: micheal.hicks [at] nist.gov (micheal[dot]hicks[at]nist[dot]gov)

Technology Requirements

The webinar will be a live stream, so participants must have a constant connection during the webinar (hard-wired is preferred).
 
1. Operating System (browser) configurations:

  • Windows
    • Windows 10, 8.1 (32-bit/64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit/64-bit)
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 or later, Windows Edge browser, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome
    • For HTML Client - Google Chrome (v70.0 & above), Mozilla Firefox (v65.0 & above), and Edge (v42.0 & above)
  • Mac OS
    • Mac OS X 10.12, 10.13 and 10.14
    • Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome
    • For HTML Client - Google Chrome (v70.0 & above), Apple Safari (v12.0 & above), and  Mozilla Firefox (v65.0 & above)
  • Linux
    • Ubuntu 16.04; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
    • No application support is available for Linux. Users on Linux can attend meetings in a browser.
    • Google Chrome, Adobe Flash Player 23.0

2. Mobile

  • The Adobe Connect app for iOS and Android requires Adobe Connect Server version 8.2 or later
  • Google Android 4.4 or later
  • Apple iOS: iOS 8.1.2 or later
  • Some features may not be enabled in all Adobe Connect meetings if one is using an Adobe Connect Server older than version 9.4.2 (required for Custom pods)
    • NOTE:  OWM discourages using the Adobe Connect app for iOS and Android because engaging with highly technical content and interactive polls are challenging on a small screen.

3. Media players

  • In order to access the event, you must have, at a minimum, Adobe® Flash® Player 13 or higher installed on your computer. Please visit http://get2.adobe.com/flashplayer/ to download the Flash Player.

4.  International Phone Calls

  • Before the webinar – Participants are responsible for verifying and testing that international calling is enabled on any telephone extension that will be used during the webinar.  Some organizations permit only domestic calls, which may restrict the participant from making an international call to the OWM toll free number.  A request to enable international call services may be necessary.  Failing to test the international phone service could prevent participation in the webinar.

5. Optional: If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before:

* Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat and Adobe Connect are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.

Sponsors

NIST Office of Weights and Measures

Created December 8, 2021, Updated February 9, 2022