Calibration

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-003990",
  "term": "Calibration",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. The establishment of an analytical curve based on the absorbance, emission intensity, or other measured characteristic of known standards. Used to define the linearity and dynamic range of the response of the analytical equipment to the target compounds.\n\n2. The process of adjusting model parameters within physically defensible ranges until the resulting predictions give the best possible fit to the observed data. In some disciplines, calibration is also referred to as \"parameter estimation\".\n\n3. The process of adjusting model parameters within physically defensible ranges until the resulting predictions give a best possible good fit to observed data.\n\n4. A procedure which checks or adjusts an instrument's accuracy by comparison with a standard or reference.\n\n5. Comparison of a measurement standard, instrument, or item with a standard or instrument of higher accuracy to detect and quantify inaccuracies and to report or eliminate those inaccuracies by adjustments.\n\n6. Determination of the log values that correspond to environmental units, such as porosity or bulk density; calibration usually is carried out in pits or by comparison with laboratory analyses of core.\n\n7. Testing and tuning of a model to a set of field data not used in developing the model; also includes minimization of deviations between measured field conditions and output of a model by selecting appropriate model coefficients.\n\n8. Statistical transformation of a variable to correct for scale or bias, or otherwise to impose the properties of another variable. Example: let two labs use different protocols of chemical analysis. Designate one protocol as the standard and generate a transformation function to convert the data from the second protocol into representation of the standard. Calibration will be required as a routine statistical procedure in many aspects of EMAP. New protocols will replace old ones. Surrogate attributes will be extensively measured, to be calibrated to represent the target attribute. Use of multiple laboratories invariably involves laboratory bias, which can be reduced by calibration. analytic equipment requires periodic calibration, and the data generated by such a process can also benefit from statistical calibration. Double-sample methods can utilize calibration in many ways to enhance the precision of estimates based on small subsamples.\n\n9. Set of operations that establish, under specified conditions, the relationship between values of quantities indicated by a measuring instrument or measuring system, or values represented by material measure or a reference material, and the corresponding values realized by standards. {ORD} {OW/EAD} {OPP} {OW/TSC} {OAR/OAQPS} {OECA} {ORCR}\n\n10. Act of comparing an instrument's measuring accuracy to a known standard.\n\n11. Set of operations that establish, under specified conditions, the relationship between values of quantities indicated by a measuring instrument or measuring system, or values represented by material measure or a reference material, and the corresponding values realized by standards. (ORD)\n\n12. Process of setting a measurement system's response so that its output agrees with a range of reference signals. Contrast with “verification”.\n\n13. Set of specifications, including tolerances, specific to a particular design, version, or application of a component, or components, or assembly capable of functionally describing its operation over its working range. This definition does apply to Subpart B of this part.\n\n14. Set of specifications, including tolerances, specific to a particular design, version, or application of a component, or components, or assembly capable of functionally describing its operation over its working range.\n\n15. Measurement of dispersal or output of application equipment and adjustment of such equipment to establish a specific rate of dispersal and, if applicable, droplet or particle size of a pesticide, and/or equalized dispersal pattern. [40 CFR 171.2 (CFR 2017)]\n\n16. Set of specifications, including tolerances, specific to a particular design, version, or application of a component, or components, or assembly capable of functionally describing its operation over its working range. [40 CFR 94.2 (CFR 2013)][40 CFR 600.002 (CFR 2013)][40 CFR 86.082-2 (CFR 2018)]\n\n17. Provides reference points for the use of a product. This unit operation typically is dry, although water may be used in some cases (e.g., pumping water for calibration of a pump). Water used in this unit operation usually does not contain additives.\n\n18. Set of specifications and tolerances specific to a particular design, version, or application of a component or assembly capable of functionally describing its operation over its working range. [40 CFR 1036.801 (CFR 2013)][40 CFR 1037.801 (CFR 2013)][49 CFR 1039.801 (CFR 2013)][40 CFR 1042.901 (CFR 2013)][40 CFR 1045.801 (CFR 2013)][40 CFR 1048.801 (CFR 2013)][40 CFR 1051.801 (CFR 2013)]\n\n19. Comparison of a measurement standard or instrument with another standard or instrument to report or eliminate, by adjustment, any variation (deviation) in accuracy of the item being compared. The levels of calibration standards should bracket the range of levels for which actual measurements are to be made. [EPA/600/Z-92/001]\n\n20. The comparison of a measurement standard or instrument with another standard or instrument to report or eliminate, by adjustment, any variation (deviation) in accuracy of the item being compared. The levels of calibration standards should bracket the range of levels for which actual measurements are to be made.",
  "subject": "Policy and guidance",
  "references": [
    "Underground Storage Tank Sites Guide Glossary",
    "Modeling Glossary",
    "Sediment Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) Glossary",
    "Drinking Water Technical & Legal Terms",
    "Great Lakes: Quality Management Training - Data Review Glossary; Great Lakes: Quality Management Training - Quality Glossary",
    "Environmental Geophysics Glossary",
    "Watershed Planning Glossary of Terms",
    "Environmental Modeling and Assessment Program (EMAP) Master Glossary",
    "Forum on Environmental Measurements (FEM) Glossary",
    "NASA Earth Observatory Glossary",
    "Forum on Environmental Measurement (FEM) Glossary",
    "40 CFR 1065.1001 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 92.2 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 1033.901 (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 171.3 (CFR 2018)",
    "40 CFR 86.1803-01 (CFR 2018)",
    "40 CFR 438 Appendix B (CFR 2013)",
    "40 CFR 1054.801 (CFR 2013)",
    "Environmental Sampling and Analytical Methods (ESAM) Program Glossary",
    "EPA/600/Z-92/001"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/calibration/"
}