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Test method

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A test method is a <a href="Methodology" title="Methodology">method</a> for a test in <a href="Science" title="Science">science</a> or <a href="Engineering" title="Engineering">engineering</a>, such as a <a href="Physical_test" title="Physical test">physical test</a>, <a href="Chemical_test" title="Chemical test">chemical test</a>, or <a href="Statistical_hypothesis_testing" class="mw-redirect" title="Statistical hypothesis testing">statistical test</a>. It is a specified procedure that produces a test result.<a href="#cite_note-ASTMForm17-1">[1]</a> To ensure accurate and relevant results, a test method should be "explicit, unambiguous, and experimentally feasible.",<a href="#cite_note-ASTM335_63-2">[2]</a> as well as effective<a href="#cite_note-NighTest00-3">[3]</a> and reproducible.<a href="#cite_note-BridwellPerspectives10-4">[4]</a>

A test is an <a href="Observation" title="Observation">observation</a> or <a href="Experiment" title="Experiment">experiment</a> that determines one or more characteristics of a given sample, product, process, or service, with the purpose of comparing the test result to expected or desired results.<a href="#cite_note-UCMPGlossary-5">[5]</a> The results can be <a href="Qualitative_data" class="mw-redirect" title="Qualitative data">qualitative</a> (yes/no), <a href="Quantitative_data" class="mw-redirect" title="Quantitative data">quantitative</a> (a measured value), or <a href="Categorical_variable" title="Categorical variable">categorical</a> and can be derived from personal <a href="Observation" title="Observation">observation</a> or the output of a precision <a href="Measuring_instrument" class="mw-redirect" title="Measuring instrument">measuring instrument</a>.

Usually the test result is the <a href="Dependent_variable" class="mw-redirect" title="Dependent variable">dependent variable</a>, the measured response based on the particular conditions of the test defined by the value of the <a href="Independent_variable" class="mw-redirect" title="Independent variable">independent variable</a>. Some tests may involve changing the independent variable to determine the level at which a certain response occurs: in this case, the test result is the independent variable.

<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Importance">Importance</h2></div>

In <a href="Software_development" title="Software development">software development</a>, <a href="Engineering" title="Engineering">engineering</a>, <a href="Science" title="Science">science</a>, <a href="Manufacturing" title="Manufacturing">manufacturing</a>, and <a href="Business" title="Business">business</a>, its developers, researchers, manufacturers, and related personnel must understand and agree upon methods of obtaining data and making <a href="Measurement" title="Measurement">measurements</a>. It is common for a <a href="Physical_property" title="Physical property">physical property</a> to be strongly affected by the precise method of testing or measuring that property. As such, fully documenting <a href="Experiment" title="Experiment">experiments</a> and measurements while providing needed documentation and descriptions of <a href="Specification" class="mw-redirect" title="Specification">specifications</a>, <a href="Contract" title="Contract">contracts</a>, and test methods is vital.<a href="#cite_note-APLACWhy08-6">[6]</a><a href="#cite_note-ASTM335_63-2">[2]</a>

Using a <a href="Technical_standard" title="Technical standard">standardized</a> test method, perhaps published by a respected <a href="Standards_organization" title="Standards organization">standards organization</a>, is a good place to start. Sometimes it is more useful to modify an existing test method or to develop a new one, though such home-grown test methods should be validated<a href="#cite_note-BridwellPerspectives10-4">[4]</a> and, in certain cases, demonstrate technical equivalency to primary, standardized methods.<a href="#cite_note-APLACWhy08-6">[6]</a> Again, documentation and full disclosure are necessary.<a href="#cite_note-ASTM335_63-2">[2]</a>

A well-written test method is important. However, even more important is choosing a method of measuring the correct property or characteristic. Not all tests and measurements are equally useful: usually a test result is used to predict or imply suitability for a certain purpose.<a href="#cite_note-ASTM335_63-2">[2]</a><a href="#cite_note-NighTest00-3">[3]</a> For example, if a manufactured item has several components, test methods may have several levels of connections:

<ul><li>test results of a raw material should connect with tests of a component made from that material</li>

<li>test results of a component should connect with <a href="Performance_test_(assessment)" class="mw-redirect" title="Performance test (assessment)">performance testing</a> of a complete item</li>

<li>results of laboratory performance testing should connect with field performance</li></ul>

These connections or <a href="Correlation" title="Correlation">correlations</a> may be based on published literature, engineering studies, or formal programs such as <a href="Quality_function_deployment" title="Quality function deployment">quality function deployment</a>. <a href="Verification_and_validation" title="Verification and validation">Validation</a> of the suitability of the test method is often required.<a href="#cite_note-BridwellPerspectives10-4">[4]</a>

<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Content">Content</h2></div>

<a href="Quality_management_system" title="Quality management system">Quality management systems</a> usually require full documentation of the procedures used in a test. The document for a test method might include:<a href="#cite_note-SnodgrassISO14-7">[7]</a><a href="#cite_note-HigginsTest09-8">[8]</a>

<ul><li>descriptive title</li>

<li>scope over which class(es) of items, policies, etc. may be evaluated</li>

<li>date of last effective revision and revision designation</li>

<li>reference to most recent test method validation</li>

<li>person, office, or agency responsible for questions on the test method, updates, and deviations</li>

<li>significance or importance of the test method and its intended use</li>

<li>terminology and definitions to clarify the meanings of the test method</li>

<li>types of apparatus and measuring instrument (sometimes the specific device) required to conduct the test</li>

<li><a href="Sampling_(statistics)" title="Sampling (statistics)">sampling</a> procedures (how samples are to be obtained and prepared, as well as the <a href="Sample_size" class="mw-redirect" title="Sample size">sample size</a>)</li>

<li><a href="Safety" title="Safety">safety</a> precautions</li>

<li>required <a href="Calibration" title="Calibration">calibrations</a> and <a href="Metrology" title="Metrology">metrology</a> systems</li>

<li><a href="Natural_environment" title="Natural environment">natural environment</a> concerns and considerations</li>

<li>testing environment concerns and considerations</li>

<li>detailed procedures for conducting the test</li>

<li>calculation and analysis of data</li>

<li>interpretation of data and test method output</li>

<li>report format, content, data, etc.</li></ul>

<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Validation">Validation</h2></div>

Test methods are often scrutinized for their validity, applicability, and accuracy. It is very important that the scope of the test method be clearly defined, and any aspect included in the scope is shown to be accurate and repeatable through validation.<a href="#cite_note-BridwellPerspectives10-4">[4]</a><a href="#cite_note-SnodgrassISO14-7">[7]</a><a href="#cite_note-APHLTest-9">[9]</a><a href="#cite_note-FDALabMan14-10">[10]</a>

Test method validations often encompass the following considerations:<a href="#cite_note-ASTM335_63-2">[2]</a><a href="#cite_note-BridwellPerspectives10-4">[4]</a><a href="#cite_note-SnodgrassISO14-7">[7]</a><a href="#cite_note-APHLTest-9">[9]</a><a href="#cite_note-FDALabMan14-10">[10]</a>

<ul><li><a href="Accuracy_and_precision" title="Accuracy and precision">accuracy and precision</a>; demonstration of accuracy may require the creation of a reference value if none is yet available</li>

<li><a href="Repeatability" title="Repeatability">repeatability</a> and <a href="Reproducibility_Project" title="Reproducibility Project">reproducibility</a>, sometimes in the form of a <a href="ANOVA_gauge_R%26R" title="ANOVA gauge R&R">Gauge R&R</a>.</li>

<li>range, or a continuum scale over which the test method would be considered accurate (e.g., 10 N to 100 N force test)</li>

<li><a href="Image_resolution" title="Image resolution">measurement resolution</a>, be it spatial, temporal, or otherwise</li>

<li><a href="Curve_fitting" title="Curve fitting">curve fitting</a>, typically for linearity, which justifies <a href="Interpolation" title="Interpolation">interpolation</a> between calibrated reference points</li>

<li>robustness, or the insensitivity to potentially subtle variables in the test environment or setup which may be difficult to control</li>

<li>usefulness to predict end-use characteristics and performance</li>

<li><a href="Measurement_uncertainty" title="Measurement uncertainty">measurement uncertainty</a></li>

<li>interlaboratory or <a href="Round_robin_test" class="mw-redirect" title="Round robin test">round robin tests</a></li>

<li>other types of <a href="Measurement_systems_analysis" class="mw-redirect" title="Measurement systems analysis">measurement systems analysis</a></li></ul>

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<ul><li><a href="Certified_reference_materials" title="Certified reference materials">Certified reference materials</a></li>

<li><a href="Data_analysis" title="Data analysis">Data analysis</a></li>

<li><a href="Design_of_experiments" title="Design of experiments">Design of experiments</a></li>

<li><a href="Document_management_system" title="Document management system">Document management system</a></li>

<li><a href="EPA_Methods" title="EPA Methods">EPA Methods</a></li>

<li><a href="Integrated_test_facility" title="Integrated test facility">Integrated test facility</a></li>

<li><a href="Measurement_systems_analysis" class="mw-redirect" title="Measurement systems analysis">Measurement systems analysis</a></li>

<li><a href="Measurement_uncertainty" title="Measurement uncertainty">Measurement uncertainty</a></li>

<li><a href="Metrication" title="Metrication">Metrication</a></li>

<li><a href="Observational_error" title="Observational error">Observational error</a></li>

<li><a href="Replication_(statistics)" title="Replication (statistics)">Replication (statistics)</a></li>

<li><a href="Sampling_(statistics)" title="Sampling (statistics)">Sampling (statistics)</a></li>

<li><a href="Specification_(technical_standard)" title="Specification (technical standard)">Specification (technical standard)</a></li>

<li><a href="Test_management_approach" class="mw-redirect" title="Test management approach">Test management approach</a></li>

<li><a href="Verification_and_validation" title="Verification and validation">Verification and validation</a></li></ul>

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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2></div>

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</style><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.astm.org/FormStyle_for_ASTM_STDS.html">"Form and Style for ASTM Standards"</a>. ASTM International. October 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.</cite>

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<li id="cite_note-ASTM335_63-2">^ <a href="#cite_ref-ASTM335_63_2-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ASTM335_63_2-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ASTM335_63_2-2">c</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ASTM335_63_2-3">d</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ASTM335_63_2-4">e</a> <cite id="CITEREFCommittee_E-11_on_Quality_Control_of_Materials1963" class="citation book cs1">Committee E-11 on Quality Control of Materials (1963). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/astmmanualforcon00amer">ASTM Manual for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study of a Test Method</a>. American Society for Testing and Materials. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/astmmanualforcon00amer/page/3">3</a>. Retrieved 8 February 2018.</cite><code class="cs1-code">{{cite book}}</code>: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

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<li id="cite_note-NighTest00-3">^ <a href="#cite_ref-NighTest00_3-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-NighTest00_3-1">b</a> <cite id="CITEREFNigh,_P.Gattiker,_A.2000" class="citation book cs1">Nigh, P.; <a href="Anne_Gattiker" title="Anne Gattiker">Gattiker, A.</a> (2000). "Test method evaluation experiments and data". Proceedings International Test Conference 2000 (IEEE Cat. No.00CH37159). Vol. 2000. pp. 454–463. <a href="Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1109%2FTEST.2000.894237">10.1109/TEST.2000.894237</a>. <a href="ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <bdi>978-0-7803-6546-9</bdi>. <a href="S2CID_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="S2CID (identifier)">S2CID</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:41043200">41043200</a>.</cite>

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<li id="cite_note-UCMPGlossary-5"><a href="#cite_ref-UCMPGlossary_5-0">^</a> <cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://undsci.berkeley.edu/glossary/glossary.php?start=s&end=z">"Glossary: S–Z"</a>. Understanding Science. University of California Museum of Paleontology. Retrieved 8 February 2018.</cite>

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<li id="cite_note-HigginsTest09-8"><a href="#cite_ref-HigginsTest09_8-0">^</a> <cite id="CITEREFHiggins,_C.2009" class="citation web cs1">Higgins, C. (2009). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~pszcah/G53QAT/Presentations09/jxo07u/QATpresentations-JXO07u.ppt">"Test Design and Documentation"</a> (PPT). University of Nottingham. Retrieved 8 February 2018.</cite>

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<li id="cite_note-APHLTest-9">^ <a href="#cite_ref-APHLTest_9-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-APHLTest_9-1">b</a> <cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.aphl.org/programs/food_safety/laboratory-accreditation/Documents/10,%20Test%20methods,%20validation,%20verification/Quality%20Management%20System%20Test%20Method%20Validation%20and%20Verification%20Learning%20Aid%202017.pdf">"Test Method, Validation and Verification of Methods: APHL Quality Management System (QMS) Competency Guidelines"</a> (PDF). Association of Public Health Laboratories. Retrieved 8 February 2018.</cite>

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<li id="cite_note-FDALabMan14-10">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FDALabMan14_10-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FDALabMan14_10-1">b</a> <cite id="CITEREFOffice_of_Regulatory_Science2014" class="citation web cs1">Office of Regulatory Science (12 May 2014). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110703211032/http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ScienceResearch/FieldScience/LaboratoryManual/UCM092012.pdf">"5.4 Test Methods and Method Validation"</a> (PDF). Laboratory Manual Of Quality Policies For ORA Regulatory Laboratories: Volume 1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.fda.gov/downloads/ScienceResearch/FieldScience/LaboratoryManual/UCM092012.pdf">the original</a> (PDF) on July 3, 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2018.</cite>

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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="General_references,_books">General references, books</h3></div>

<ul><li>Pyzdek, T, "Quality Engineering Handbook", 2003, <a href="ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <bdi>0-8247-4614-7</bdi></li>

<li>Godfrey, A. B., "Juran's Quality Handbook", 1999, <a href="ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <bdi>007034003X</bdi></li>

<li>Kimothi, S. K., "The Uncertainty of Measurements: Physical and Chemical Metrology: Impact and Analysis", 2002, <a href="ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <bdi>0-87389-535-5</bdi></li></ul>

<div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Related_standards">Related standards</h3></div>

<ul><li>ASTM E177 Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods</li>

<li>ASTM E691 Standard Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method</li>

<li>ASTM E1488 Standard Guide for Statistical Procedures to Use in Developing and Applying Test Methods</li>

<li>ASTM E2282 Standard Guide for Defining the Test Result of a Test Method</li>

<li>ASTM E2655 - Standard Guide for Reporting Uncertainty of Test Results and Use of the Term Measurement Uncertainty in ASTM Test Methods</li></ul></div><div><div class="zim-footer">

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