Uncertainty in radiation dosimetry: basic concepts and methods

Principally, uncertainty is associated with measured and computed values. The basic concepts of uncertainty are outlined, an overview on methods for its determination is given and the application of uncertainties in quality assurance is discussed. Based on the Guide to the expression of uncertainty...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inRadiation protection dosimetry Vol. 121; no. 1; p. 3
Main Author Siebert, B R L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.12.2006
Subjects
Bayes Theorem
Calibration
Humans
Markov Chains
Models, Statistical
Monte Carlo Method
Probability
Quality Control
Radiometry - methods
Radiotherapy Dosage
Reproducibility of Results
Risk
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Summary:Principally, uncertainty is associated with measured and computed values. The basic concepts of uncertainty are outlined, an overview on methods for its determination is given and the application of uncertainties in quality assurance is discussed. Based on the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement and a forthcoming supplement to it, the paper identifies modelling of measurement or computation and the use of a probability distribution functions (PDFs) for expressing the degree of belief in possible values as basic concepts. All presently used proper methods for determining uncertainty can be derived from the Markov formula. Optimisation of measurements and computations as well as the acceptance of results by others are identified as the two major tasks of quality assurance based on analysing and stating uncertainty.
ISSN:0144-8420
DOI:10.1093/rpd/ncl094