Raghu Kacker 2007 Metrologia 44 L57 doi:10.1088/0026-1394/44/6/N03
Raghu Kacker
Show affiliationsA recent paper by Ignacio Lira in this journal (2006 Metrologia 43 S231–4) proposes a new procedure to evaluate the data from a simple key comparison where a travelling standard of a stable value during the comparison is independently measured by the participants. In particular, Lira presents an expression, which he claims to be the kernel of a Bayesian posterior probability density function for the value of the measurand. Lira claims that his expression encodes the collective state of knowledge whether or not the results are consistent. Thus Lira offers an alternative to the method recommended by an Advisory Group on Uncertainties commissioned by the BIPM. We discuss Lira's procedure from the viewpoint of what we believe to be a good practice of Bayesian statistics.
06.20.fb Standards and calibration
Issue 6 (December 2007)
Received 2 February 2007
Published 11 October 2007
Raghu Kacker 2007 Metrologia 44 L57
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