Measurement uncertainty and its implications for collaborative study method validation and method performance parameters

ISO principles of measurement uncertainty estimation are compared with protocols for method development and validation by collaborative trial and concomitant "top-down" estimation of uncertainty. It is shown that there is substantial commonality between the two procedures. In particular, both require a careful consideration and study of the main effects on the result. Most of the information required to evaluate measurement uncertainty is therefore gathered during the method development and validation process. However, the information is not generally published in sufficient detail at present; recommendations are accordingly made for future reporting of the data.