A Level Biology Practice Exam

What does precision refer to in scientific measurements?

1. The accuracy of a measurement

2. The closeness of agreement between repeated measurements

3. The maximum possible measurement

4. The theoretical value of a measurement

The correct answer is: The closeness of agreement between repeated measurements

Precision in scientific measurements pertains to the consistency or repeatability of results when the same measurement is taken multiple times under the same conditions. When repeated measurements yield values that are very close to each other, it indicates high precision. This factor is crucial in research and experimentation as it reflects the reliability of the measurement process used, even if those measurements are not necessarily close to the true value, which would denote accuracy. Thus, precision is distinct from accuracy, which refers to how close a measurement is to the actual or true value. The other options present concepts that either do not relate to precision directly or pertain to other aspects of measurement and data analysis. Understanding precision involves focusing on the variability and reproducibility of data, which is fundamental in scientific practice.