Statistics add-in software for statistical analysis in Excel
  • Statistical Reference Guide
  • Measurement systems analysis (MSA)
  • Precision

Estimating the precision of a measurement system

Estimate the precision of a measurement system or procedure.

  1. Select a cell in the dataset.
  2. On the Analyse-it ribbon tab, in the Statistical Analyses group, click Precision, and then click:
    Option Description
    Simple Measurements are made under the same conditions.
    1 Factor Measurements vary by a single random factor.

    Use for performing CLSI EP5 or EP15 in a single laboratory with Run as a factor.

    2 Factor Nested Measurements vary by 2 random factors.

    Use for performing CLSI EP5 in a single laboratory with Day and Run as nested factors.

    3 Factor Nested Measurements vary by 3 random factors.

    Use for performing CLSI EP5 in multiple laboratories with Laboratory, Day, Run as nested factors.

    The analysis task pane opens.
  3. In the Y drop-down list, select the measured quantity variable.
  4. If required: In the Factor A drop-down list, select the first random factor.
  5. If required: In the Factor B nested within Factor A drop-down list, select the second random factor that is nested within the first factor.
  6. If required: In the Factor C nested within Factor B drop-down list, select the third random factor that is nested within the second factor.
  7. Optional: If there are multiple levels of measurement, in the By drop-down list, select the level variable.
  8. Optional: To label the conditions of measurement for the innermost and outermost nested factors, in the Conditions drop-down list, select the labels.
  9. Optional: To customize the detail of the output, select or clear the Abbreviated and Detail check boxes as appropriate.
  10. Optional: To compare the precision against performance requirements:
    • If the allowable imprecision is a constant or proportional value across the measuring interval, under the Allowable imprecision group, select Across measuring interval, and then in the SD / CV edit box, type the SD in measurement units, or the CV as a percentage (suffix with % symbol).
    • If the allowable imprecision varies for each level, under the Allowable imprecision group, select Each level and then in the Allowable imprecision grid, under the SD / CV column, alongside each level, type the SD in measurement units, or the CV as a percentage (suffix with % symbol).
    Note: To compare precision against a performance claim, see Testing precision against a performance claim.
  11. Click Calculate.
Related concepts
Precision
Variance components
Related tasks
Testing precision against a performance claim
Related reference
Dataset layout
Related information
CLSI. (2014a). Evaluation of Precision Performance of Quantitative Measurement Methods (EP5-A3). Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.
CLSI. (2014b). User Verification of Performance for Precision and Trueness (EP15-A3). Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.
ISO. (1994). ISO 5725: Accuracy (Trueness and Precision) of Measurement Methods and Results. International Organization for Standardization.
Available in Analyse-it Editions
Method Validation edition
Ultimate edition

  •  What is Analyse-it?
  •  What's new?
  •  Administrator's Guide
  •  User's Guide
  •  Statistical Reference Guide
  •  Distribution
  •  Compare groups
  •  Compare pairs
  •  Contingency tables
  •  Correlation and association
  •  Principal component analysis (PCA)
  •  Factor analysis (FA)
  •  Item reliability
  •  Fit model
  •  Method comparison / Agreement
  •  Measurement systems analysis (MSA)
  •  Precision
  •  Conditions of measurement
  •  Variance components
  •  Estimating the precision of a measurement system
  •  Testing precision against a performance claim
  •  Precision profile plot
  •  Plotting a precision profile
  •  Variance function
  •  Fitting a variance function
  •  Trueness
  •  Detection capability
  •  Study design
  •  Reference interval
  •  Diagnostic performance
  •  Survival/Reliability
  •  Control charts
  •  Process capability
  •  Pareto analysis
  •  Study Designs
  •  Bibliography



Version 6.15
Published 18-Apr-2023
statistics software, statistical software for Excel
  • Products
  • Store 
  • Support
  • Blog
  • About us
  • Download trial
  •  Search
  •  Sign in
  •  Contact us
Analyse-it editions
  • Standard edition
  • Medical edition
  • Method Validation edition
  • Quality Control & Improvement edition
  • Ultimate edition

  • Blog  
  • About us
  • Contact us  
  • Privacy policy


Copyright 2026 Analyse-it Software, Ltd, Leeds, United Kingdom .
We use essential cookies to run the site, and optional analytics to improve the experience for visitors. For more information see our Privacy policy.