Guidelines to help users select and use software for their metrology applications.

In this report we provide information and guidelines to help users select and use software in such a way that is fit for purpose for their metrology applications. Fitness for purpose is defined here in terms of meeting requirements relating to the numerical accuracy of the results returned by the software. Four topics are covered. Firstly, a discussion is given of some of the factors that affect how users decide fitness for purpose requirements, accounting for the possible ways the results returned by scientific software may be subsequently used. Secondly, approaches are presented for verifying or testing the numerical accuracy of scientific software. Thirdly, guidance is given on how to make better use of existing software by pre-processing the input data to such software and using appropriate model parametrisations. Finally, information is provided to help users locate software that is relevant to metrology applications. This report constitutes one of the deliverables of Project 2.1 “Testing Spreadsheets and Other Packages Used in Metrology” within the UK Department of Industry’s National Measurement System Software Support for Metrology Programme 1998-2001.