Medical Technology Licensure Examination (MTLE) Practice Exam

Standard deviation is a statistical measure that quantifies the amount of variation or dispersion in a set of data points, specifically in this context, the test results from laboratory assays. When laboratory tests are performed, various factors can cause the results to vary from the mean or average value. Standard deviation helps to understand how much individual test results deviate from this mean. A small standard deviation indicates that the test results are closely clustered around the mean, suggesting high precision, while a large standard deviation indicates that the results are spread out over a wide range, reflecting variability in test outcomes.

In laboratory settings, understanding the standard deviation is crucial for interpreting test reliability and consistency, as well as for identifying potential issues with the testing process. While the other options touch on relevant aspects of laboratory operations, they do not accurately capture the statistical significance of standard deviation in terms of variability in test results.