ASTM E2282-03

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An American National Standard
Designation: E 2282 – 03
Standard Guide for
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Defining the Test Result of a Test Method
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2282; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.5.1 Discussion—Examples of test methods include, but
are not limited to: identification, measurement, and evaluation
1.1 The purpose of this standard is to provide guidelines for
of one or more qualities, characteristics, or properties. [ASTM
identifying the elements that comprise the test result of a test
Regulations 2.2.6]
method and to illustrate how these elements combine into the
3.1.6 test observation, n—see observation.
test result.
3.1.7 test result, n—the value of a characteristic obtained by
2. Referenced Documents
carrying out a specified test method.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 2—The test method specifies that one or a number of individual
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
observations be made, and their average or another appropriate function,
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(such as the median or the standard deviation), be reported as the test
ASTM Test Methods
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result. It can also require standard corrections to be applied, such as
E 456 Terminology Related to Quality and Statistics
correction of gas volumes to standard temperature and pressure. Thus, a
2.2 International Standard:
test result can be a result calculated from several observed values. In the
International Vocabulary of Basic and General Terms in
simple case, the test result is the observed value itself. ISO 3534-2
Metrology (VIM)
(3.3.4.1)
3. Terminology
3.1.8 test specimen, n—the portion of a test unit needed to
obtain a single test determination.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 characteristic, n—a property of items in a sample or
NOTE 3—When used for a physical test, this is sometimes called “test
population which, when measured, counted or otherwise ob-
piece.” For a chemical test, it is sometimes called test portion or test
served, helps to distinguish between the items.
sample. For optical and other tests, it is also sometimes called test sample.
In interlaboratory evaluation of test methods and other statistical proce-
3.1.2 observation, n—the process of obtaining information
dures, it is best to reserve the word sample for the whole amount of
regarding the presence or absence of an attribute of a test
material involved and not the individual test specimens, pieces or portions
specimen, or of making a reading on a characteristic or
being tested.
dimension of a test specimen.
3.1.9 test unit, n—the total quantity of material (containing
NOTE 1—Observation is also associated with the attribute or measure-
one or more test specimens) needed to obtain a test result as
ment information obtained from the process.The term “observed value” is
specified in the test method. See test result.
preferred for this second usage.
3.1.3 observed value, n—the value obtained by making an
4. Significance and Use
observation.
4.1 All test methods have an output in the form of a test
3.1.4 test determination, n—the value of a characteristic or
result. This guide provides information on the construction of
dimension of a single test specimen derived from one or more
test results from more elemental measurements.
observed values.
4.2 A well defined test result is necessary before any
3.1.5 test method, n—a definitive procedure that produces a
precision statements can be made about the test method.
test result.
4.2.1 Form and Style for ASTM Standards, Section A21,
requires that every test method shall contain a statement
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E11 on Quality and regarding its precision, preferably as a result of an interlabo-
Statistics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E11.20 on Test Method
ratory test program. Reporting of such studies is described in
Evaluation and Quality Control.
E 177, which illustrates the development of test results from
Current edition approved May 10, 2003. Published August 2003.
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observations and test determinations.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E2282–03
4.2.2 Precision statements for ASTM test methods are 5.4.1 In general, the test method should describe not only
applicable to test results. They are not applicable to test the manner in which each test determination is to be made, but
determinations or observations, unless specifically and clearly also the number of t
...