On the meaning of measurement uncertainty

• Published in: Measurement : journal of the International Measurement Confederation Vol. 133; pp. 41 - 46
• Main Author: Grégis, Fabien
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Epistemology of measurement; Error analysis; History, Philosophy and Sociology of Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Measurement; Measurement uncertainty; Uncertainty; Vocabulary of metrology; Measurement uncertainty; Vocabulary of metrology; Epistemology of measurement
• ISSN: 0263-2241; 1873-412X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2018.09.073

•Inquires into the meaning of measurement uncertainty in metrology.•VIM2 & VIM3 definitions of measurement uncertainty do not explain its meaning.•VIM1 definition of measurement uncertainty is incorrect.•The suggested VIM4 definition appeals to an overly restrictive notion of “belief”•Alternative directions for the definition of measurement uncertainty are suggested. This article discusses the definitions of “measurement uncertainty” given in the three editions of the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM) and a fourth definition which was suggested for the next edition of this document. It is argued that none of the definitions is satisfying. First, a thorough definition of measurement uncertainty should supply an explanation about the meaning of the concept, which is missing from the VIM2&3. Secondly, when provided, the meanings are not accurate enough: the VIM1 version is flawed and the possible future definition appeals to an overly restrictive notion of “belief”. Alternative options are then proposed, based on the conclusions that (i) measurement uncertainty is a statement – an inference – made by the experimenter about the measurand; (ii) it is only based on what is accessible to one’s knowledge, and therefore rests on the hypothesis that no unknown systematic error affects the measurement.