How is the term "accuracy" defined?

The term "accuracy" is defined as how close a measurement is to its true value. In the context of wastewater operations and various scientific measurements, accuracy indicates the degree of conformity of a measured or calculated value to its actual (true) value.

For example, if you are testing the concentration of a chemical in a sample and your measurement is very close to the actual concentration, then your measurement is considered accurate. This concept is crucial in wastewater operations because accurate measurements ensure that processes and treatments are effectively managed, which can significantly impact environmental and operational outcomes.

In contrast, precision refers to how consistently measurements can be repeated, which is a different concept than accuracy. Other options discuss different types of measurement characteristics that do not directly align with the standard definition of accuracy, reinforcing the uniqueness and importance of accurate measurements in data collection and analysis.