Accuracy and sensitivity

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    Accuracy Sensitivity
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of accuracy and sensitivity in the context of experimental apparatus. Participants explore definitions, distinctions, and relationships between these terms, as well as related concepts like precision and resolution.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on the difference between accuracy and sensitivity in experimental contexts.
  • Another participant suggests that precision is often confused with sensitivity, defining precision as repeatability and accuracy as correctness of results, using a dartboard analogy for illustration.
  • A different viewpoint describes sensitivity as the ability to detect fluctuations in measurements, while accuracy is framed as the tolerance limits on sensitivity.
  • Further elaboration includes definitions of resolution, repeatability, accuracy, and sensitivity, with sensitivity described in terms of output signal relative to input signal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and relationships between accuracy, sensitivity, and precision, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some definitions and relationships presented may depend on specific contexts or applications, and there are unresolved nuances regarding how these terms interact.

SudanBlack
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Hi,

What exactly is the difference between accuracy and sensitivity as regards experimental apparatus?

Thanks. :smile:
 
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Usually people use the term precision, not sensitivity, but the difference is that precision means always getting the same results (repeatable, reliable), while accuracy means always getting the correct results. The dartboard analogy is the usual way to visualize it:

http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/distance/sci122/SciLab/L5/accprec.html
 
"Sensitivity" can be seen as an ability to differentiate fluctuations in a given observed or tested event. "Accuracy" can be seen as the tolerance limits placed on "sensitivity"
 
russ_watters said:
Usually people use the term precision, not sensitivity, but the difference is that precision means always getting the same results (repeatable, reliable), while accuracy means always getting the correct results.

That sounds like repeatability. I know of the following expressions:
resolution - the minimum change the device will show
repeatability - as russ_watters said, the difference between two measurements of the same value
accuracy - the difference between the measured value and the real value

add: sensitivity - output signal times input signal, eg V/m when you measure length and the device gives you voltage.
 
Last edited:

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