1.1 This guide serves as an aid to subcommittees writing and maintaining test methods. It helps to ( ) determine if it is possible to reduce test variability, and, if so, ( ) provide a systematic approach to the reduction.

1.2 This guide includes the following topics:

Topic Title Section Number Scope 1 Referenced Documents 2 Definitions 3 Significance and Use 4 Measures of Test Variability 5 Unnecessary Test Variability 6 Identifying Probable Causes of Test Variability 7 Determining the Causes of Test Variability 8 Averaging 9 Calibration 10 Keywords 11

1.3 The annexes include:

Topic Title Annex Number Statistical Test Selection A1 Frequency Distribution Identification A2 Design of Ruggedness Tests A3 Ruggedness Test Analysis: Unknown or Undefined Distribution---Small Sample A4 Unknown or Undefined Distribution---Large Sample A5 Binomial Distribution A6 Poisson Distribution A7 Normal Distribution A8 Design of a Randomized Block Experiment A9 Randomized Block Experiment Analysis: Unknown or Undefined Distribution---Small Sample A10 Unknown or Undefined Distribution---Large Sample A11 Binomial Distribution A12 Poisson Distribution A13 Normal Distribution A14 Averaging: No Compositing A15 Compositing A16