Which statistic is used to evaluate the difference between two measurements without evidence supporting one being more accurate?

The relative percent difference (RPD) is an important statistical metric when comparing two measurements, particularly in contexts where there is no definitive evidence indicating one measurement is more accurate than the other. RPD provides a way to express the difference between the two values as a percentage of their average, allowing for a normalized comparison regardless of the units or scale of the measurements involved.

In situations where two radon measurements are taken, for instance, the RPD offers insight into the variability of results in relation to the magnitude of the measurements. This can be especially useful in assessing the compatibility of results in radon testing, as it gives context to how significant the difference is in relative terms.

Using RPD allows for a consistent method to evaluate the differences in measurements that may arise from factors such as equipment variation, environmental conditions, or operator differences, without making judgments on which measurement might be more reliable. This is particularly crucial in radon measurement, where accurate interpretation of results can impact health decisions and mitigation actions.