Confidence intervals (typically 95%) capture the extent of impression.

Imprecisions have different meanings and subject to various conceptions. 1Imprecision has been defined as “the amount or degree of random error in a clinical research study, or calculation, usually represented by the standard deviation, coefficient of variation, or range”. For instance, evidence supported by randomized controlled trials (RCT) commences as exemplary quality evidence but may scale down due to study limitations, inconsistency of results, indirectness of evidence, imprecision and reporting bias.

2Imprecision conveys the lack of precision of a measurement, a word, a sentence or a statement.3Generally, outcomes are imprecise. Studies consist of comparatively fewer patients and a small number of events and therefore have a wide confidence interval (CI) concerning estimating the effect. In such cases, the quality of the evidence may be reviewed to be lower than it would have been considered owing to the ambiguity about the results. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system has been adopted for grading evidence. These guidelines explain 95% confidence interval (CI, typically 95%) as the primary criteria to judge imprecision and suggest using optimal information size as obligatory second criteria for establishing ample precision.3

References

  1. Guyatt GH, Oxman AD, Vist GE, et al. GRADE: an emerging consensus on rating quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. BMJ. 2008;336(7650):924-926.
  2. https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/imprecision
  3. Gnansounou, E., & Pandey, A. (2017). Life-Cycle Assessment of Biorefineries (1st ed.). Elsevier.
  4. Schünemann H, Brożek J, Guyatt G, Oxman A, editors. GRADE handbook for grading the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. Updated October 2013. The GRADE Working Group, 2013.