What does high accuracy in measurements require?

High accuracy in measurements is fundamentally determined by achieving both high precision and low bias. Precision refers to the repeatability and consistency of measurements; in other words, if you take multiple measurements under the same conditions, a precise measurement system will yield similar results each time. Bias, on the other hand, is the systematic error that causes measurements to deviate from the true value. Low bias indicates that the measurement method is fundamentally sound and aligns closely with the actual value being measured.

When a measurement system has both high precision and low bias, it ensures that the results are not only close to each other (precision) but also close to the true value (low bias). This combination is crucial for achieving high accuracy, which is essential in fields that require reliable and trustworthy measurement results, such as radon measurement in residential and commercial buildings.

In contrast, factors like consistency in sample collection, frequent adjustments to equipment, and minimal quality checks alone do not guarantee high accuracy. While they are important aspects of the overall measurement process, they do not inherently ensure that the measurements are both precise and unbiased, which is what ultimately defines accuracy.