title: Calculation of Measurement Uncertainty Using Prior Information.
abstract: We describe the use of Bayesian inference to include prior information about the value of the measurand in the calculation of measurement uncertainty. Typical examples show this can, in effect, reduce the expanded uncertainty by up to 85 %. The application of the Bayesian approach to proving workpiece conformance to specification (as given by international standard ISO 14253-1) is presented and a procedure for increasing the conformance zone by modifying the expanded uncertainty guard bands is discussed.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Estler
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Levenson
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Eberhardt
keywords: Bayesian; bias; error; measurement uncertainty; uncertainty