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2059 Basic Uncertainty Concepts

Class Description

This 2-hour webinar provides a very basic introduction to uncertainty calculations and reporting using the 8-step process published in NIST SOP 29 (NISTIR 6969), beginning with some definitions and concepts from the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and includes some simple calculations.  NOTE: The content is similar to what is covered in the Fundamentals of Metrology seminar and is a useful precursor or review for content covered during the course and includes calculations and an integrated application quiz. The session ends with an optional 30-minute session for Questions and Answers.

Class Information section banner

At the end of this session, using SOP 29 and course notes, participants will be able to:

  • DEFINE: standard uncertainty, expanded uncertainty, coverage factor, Type A methods, Type B methods;  
  • DESCRIBE the importance of knowing and evaluating measurement uncertainty; ;
  • Be able to: SPECIFY, IDENTIFY, QUANTIFY, CONVERT, COMBINE, EXPAND, EVALUATE, and REPORT uncertainties for a simple scenario;
  • EXPLAIN the concepts of uncertainty and its relationship to metrological traceability;
  • IDENTIFY documentation requirements for uncertainty calculations within a calibration laboratory; and
  • IMPLEMENT an uncertainty budget based on concepts presented in NISTIR 6969, SOP 29 and the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement.

Laboratory metrology staff and administrators who are new to uncertainty calculations or who would like to review the 8-step process of SOP 29.  The session would also be useful for metrology staff who will be conducting on-the-job-training for new staff members.

Successful Completion includes completing pre- and post-work assignments, full attendance and participation in the session activities and discussion, including the integrated quiz/calculations.

The current registration fee for webinars is $350, and participants will be sent payment instructions when their training request is confirmed.  Registration fees for State weights and measures metrologists are funded by NIST OWM.

The webinar will be a live stream, so participants must have a constant connection during the webinar (hard-wired is preferred).
 
1. Operating System (browser) configurations:

  • Windows
    • Windows 10, 8.1 (32-bit/64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit/64-bit)
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 or later, Windows Edge browser, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome
    • For HTML Client - Google Chrome (v70.0 & above), Mozilla Firefox (v65.0 & above), and Edge (v42.0 & above)
  • Mac OS
    • Mac OS X 10.12, 10.13 and 10.14
    • Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome
    • For HTML Client - Google Chrome (v70.0 & above), Apple Safari (v12.0 & above), and  Mozilla Firefox (v65.0 & above)
  • Linux
    • Ubuntu 16.04; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
    • No application support is available for Linux. Users on Linux can attend meetings in a browser.
    • Google Chrome, Adobe Flash Player 23.0

2. Mobile

  • The Adobe Connect app for iOS and Android requires Adobe Connect Server version 8.2 or later
  • Google Android 4.4 or later
  • Apple iOS: iOS 8.1.2 or later
  • Some features may not be enabled in all Adobe Connect meetings if one is using an Adobe Connect Server older than version 9.4.2 (required for Custom pods)
    • NOTE:  OWM discourages using the Adobe Connect app for iOS and Android because engaging with highly technical content and interactive polls are challenging on a small screen.

3. Media players

  • In order to access the event, you must have, at a minimum, Adobe® Flash® Player 13 or higher installed on your computer. Please visit http://get2.adobe.com/flashplayer/ to download the Flash Player.

4.  International Phone Calls

  • Before the webinar – Participants are responsible for verifying and testing that international calling is enabled on any telephone extension that will be used during the webinar. Some organizations permit only domestic calls, which may restrict the participant from making an international call to the OWM toll free number. A request to enable international call services may be necessary. Failing to test the international phone service could prevent participation in the webinar.

5. Optional: If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before:

* Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat and Adobe Connect are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.

None.

Micheal Hicks and Tobias Herman
Email: micheal.hicks [at] nist.gov (micheal[dot]hicks[at]nist[dot]gov)

Staff Photo of Micheal Hicks
Micheal Hicks
Tobias Herman Headshot for OWM
Tobias Herman
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There are no prerequisites for this webinar. Knowledge of basic mathematics and statistics is expected and must be used for successful completion.

Read NISTIR 6969, SOP 29

Pre-Work Deadline: Must be completed prior to webinar.

Banner for post event training faqs

Submit Student Notes (Highlights, Applications, and Application Quiz).

Post-Work Deadline: Post-work must be submitted to instructors by Thursday, June 4, 2026.

Sponsors

NIST Office of Weights and Measures

You will need a government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport or driver's license) when you check into the Visitors Center at the entrance of NIST and if bringing a vehicle onto the NIST campus, a vehicle registration card.

PLEASE NOTE: Effective July 21, 2014, under the REAL ID Act of 2005 (https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-frequently-asked-questions), agencies, including NIST, can only accept a state-issued driver's license or identification card for access to federal facilities if issued by states that are REAL ID compliant or have an extension. NIST currently accepts other forms of federally issued identification in lieu of a state-issued driver's license, such as a valid passport, passport card, DOD's Common Access Card (CAC), Veterans ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, Military Dependents ID, Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), and TSA Trusted Traveler ID. See Visitor Information for the latest information.

Created February 13, 2025, Updated March 26, 2025