Survey - Performance Evaluation in Non-Quantitative Proficiency Testing

Introduction

Bar02 490Qualitative results pose special challenges for PT providers. It can be hard to assign a value for assessment, and there is no widely accepted method of scoring poor results.

This report summarises activities and responses received in a survey undertaken in support of the Eurachem Proficiency Testing Working Group (PTWG). The survey aimed to gather information about the performance evaluation of non-quantitative proficiency testing (PT) with a view to providing improved guidance on the topic, and support potential harmonisation of approaches to performance evaluation for this type of PT scheme.

The survey included 124 responses, of which 34 were deleted (due to incomplete, nonsensical or duplicated replies). The remaining 90 acceptable records were analysed for the summary results. Among these, 76 pertained to non-quantitative PT, while 14 concerned quantitative PT. Focusing specifically on nonquantitative PT, 67 distinct PT providers participated in the survey. The majority of these PT providers were European, followed by American. Within Europe, France and Italy emerged as the most represented countries.

In the survey, the most prevalent type of non-quantitative PT was “binary”, followed by “ordinal”, “interpretative” and “categorical”.

The survey yielded valuable insights into non-quantitative PT. The comprehensive approach adopted in designing and executing the survey provided a robust foundation for further analysis and action.

Report

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Citation

Citation of refereed publications (see below) relating to this study are preferred. Where reference to this document is intended, this document should be cited* as:

"M. Mancin, U. Tiikkainen, and K. van Putten (Eds.) Eurachem Report: Survey on performance evaluation in non-quantitative Proficiency Testing. Available from https://www.eurachem.org"

* Subject to journal requirements