Which of the following terms refers to the correctness of a measurement compared to a standard or known value?

The term that refers to the correctness of a measurement compared to a standard or known value is accuracy. Accuracy assesses how close a measured value is to the true value or accepted standard. It is crucial in areas such as lead risk assessment, where knowing the exact concentration of lead in a material or environment helps determine safety levels and compliance with health standards.

Precision, on the other hand, pertains to the repeatability of measurements, indicating how consistently a measurement can be reproduced. Bias refers to a systematic error that skews results away from the true value, while validity encompasses the overall effectiveness of a test in measuring what it intends to measure, which is broader than just correctness compared to a known standard. Understanding the distinction between these terms is essential for accurate reporting and assessment practices.