Difference Between Trueness & Bias Measurement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the difference between trueness and bias in measurement, exploring their definitions and how they relate to concepts like accuracy and precision. Participants seek clarification on these terms and their implications in measurement contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the distinction between trueness and bias, suggesting they may be interchangeable.
  • One participant relates the concepts to accuracy and precision, using an analogy involving archery to illustrate these terms.
  • Another participant expresses that trueness seems to equate to accuracy, though they lack immediate references to support this claim.
  • Several participants share links to external resources in an attempt to clarify the definitions of trueness and bias.
  • A participant notes that the term bias has historical significance in statistics and that trueness was introduced to address philosophical objections in certain fields.
  • One participant asserts that bias is now synonymous with trueness, suggesting a lack of distinct meanings between the two terms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the definitions of trueness and bias, with multiple competing views and interpretations remaining throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and implications of trueness and bias, indicating a reliance on external references that may not fully resolve the distinctions they seek.

Roger Dodger
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Can someone explain the difference between trueness and bias, as used in measurement?
 
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As in accuracy and precision?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accuracy_and_precision

Say you have a target and all your shots are near and around the center but spread out then you have accuracy but not precision. Another archer steps up and places his shots in a tight spread that is off center then he/she has precision but not accuracy.

Robin Hood steps up and shoots all his arrows dead center in a tight spread and so he has accuracy and precision.
 
I understand the distinction between accuracy and precision. However, the terms trueness and bias seem almost interchangeable and I am hoping someone can clarify the difference.
 
I found this also

https://www.astm.org/SNEWS/MARCH_2000/P&B_mar00.html
 
I appreciate the references, but the distinction between trueness and bias is what I seek.
 
Yes, I tried that.
 
It appears I missed this:

"The term bias has been in use for statistical matters for a very long time, but because it caused certain philosophical objections among members of some professions (such as medical and legal practitioners), the positive aspect has been emphasized by the invention of the term trueness."

That explains it.
 
  • #10
That's great where did you find that quote?
 
  • #11
It's at the bottom of the ISO link you provided.
 
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  • #12
Roger Dodger said:
I appreciate the references, but the distinction between trueness and bias is what I seek.
How do you define each?
 
  • #13
According to what I see, bias is now trueness. Their meanings are not distinct.
 

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