| 09.00 | Welcome and Introduction | The course is designed to provide participants with the tools necessary to develop uncertainty budgets supported with practical examples relating to different fields of measurement and testing |
| What is uncertainty and why measure it? | The concept of uncertainty is introduced together with the reasons for determining it. An overview of some of the main reference publications which outline methodologies for determination of uncertainties is provided | |
| Terminology in Measurement | In order to provide a sound basis for estimation of measurement uncertainty in subsequent modules and overview of measurement terminology is provided | |
| Basic concepts: Traceability, Accuracy, Linearity, Stability and Uncertainty | The concepts of 'location' and stability are discussed with visual examples together with basic concepts relating to uncertainty including standard deviation and mean. These are explained in simple terms together with how to calculate using a simple hand calculator or spreadsheet. | |
| Steps in calculating uncertainties | An overview of the process by which uncertainties are estimated is provided together with eight steps that can be utilized in determining uncertainties. These eight steps are expanded upon during subsequent modules. | |
| Quantifying uncertainty components - Type A | An overview is provided in how to perform a 'Type A' uncertainty study (repeatability) | |
| Workshop: Type A Study | A practical exercise is provided to allow participants to calculate 'Type A' uncertainty contribution for themselves | |
| 12.30 | - Lunch - |
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| 13.30 | Type B Uncertainties | A 'type A' repeatability study will only typically quantify uncertainty contributions over a short term and not consider longer term variations such as temperature, drift etc. This module explains how to identify 'Type B' contributions and estimate their magnitude in order to convert them to input uncertainties |
| Workshop: Type B Study | A practical exercise is provided to allow participants to calculate 'Type B' uncertainty contribution for themselves. The conc pet of 'sensitivity coefficients' is introduced here. | |
| Combining Uncertainties | The final step in preparing an uncertainty budget is to combine the 'Type A' and 'Type B' uncertainties and apply a 'coverage factor'. The concept and method for combining uncertainties is covered here. | |
| Workshop: Combination of uncertainties | A practical exercise is provided to allow participants to calculate combined uncertainties calculated in previous workshops. | |
| Use of previous study data | It is possible to use a previous 'type A; study to estimate uncertainties for subsequent estimations. The methodology of how this is done is explained here. | |
| Workshop: Previous study data | A practical example is given allowing participants to utilize previous study data in subsequent calibration or test uncertainty estimates. | |
| Workshop: Determination of modified coverage factors | A practical exercise is provided to demonstrate when and how to use modified coverage factors in cases where the repeatability data may be unreliable. | |
| Workshop: Making use of budgets | This workshop is designed to allow participants to consider the use of uncertainty budgets to optimize the calibration or test process and identify improvements to the measurement process based upon analysis of the data in the budget | |
| Reporting of uncertainties | This module provides information on how uncertainty statements should be reported and discusses considerations to be made when declaring compliance to predefined acceptance criteria. | |
| Summary and Q&A | The course concludes with a Q&A session and participants are left with some sources of information which provide examples of uncertainty budgets and further information | |
| 17.30 | Close |
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