Troubleshooting Key Comparisons: A Survey of Design, Analysis, and Reporting of Results in Key Comparisons

Published

March 1, 2005

Author(s)

Adriana Hornikova, William F. Guthrie

Abstract

Key comparisons are international interlaboratory studies used to establish the degree of equivalence between national measurement standards. These studies, carried out by National Metrology Institutes, aer time-consuming, but necessary to facilitate international trade. Since the signing of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) in 1999, approzimately one hundred and twenty key comparision in a wide range of metrological areas have been completed and have results posted in the Key Comparison Database (KCDB) maintained by International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in France and in the International Comparisons Database (ICDB) maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the U.S. As with may new standardized procedures, however, the translation of the guidelines for the conduct of key comparisons outlined in the MRA from theory to practice has not always been smooth or obvious. Different groups of metrologists working in different areas have interpreted the MRA in different ways. The practicalities of collecting data that support a specific measurement goal from laboratories all over the world has aslso had varying impact on the decisions made by the scientists who have planned and participated in key comparisons. Now, supported by a large set of completed comparisons from the KCDB and the ICDB, an opportunity has risen to study the methods that are being used to conduct key comparisons. This paper summarizes work currently completed key comparisons and offers recommendations for the design, analysis, and interpretation of future comparisons.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings| 2004

Conference Dates

August 8-12, 2004

Conference Location

Toronto

Conference Title

Joint Statistical Meetings

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

experiment design, inter-laboratory studies, key comparison, MRA

Citation

Hornikova, A. and Guthrie, W. (2005), Troubleshooting Key Comparisons: A Survey of Design, Analysis, and Reporting of Results in Key Comparisons, Proceedings| 2004, Toronto, -1 (Accessed April 25, 2024)