suoramittausta

Suoramittausta, or direct measurement, is a term used in Finnish metrology to denote measurement methods in which the quantity of interest is determined directly by a measuring instrument. In direct measurement, the reading corresponds to the property being measured without the need to compute or infer it from other quantities. This is contrasted with epäsuora mittaus (indirect measurement), where the desired value is derived from related measurements and known relationships. In Finnish, the standard term is suoramittaus, while suoramittausta is a grammatical form used to denote the act of direct measurement.

Procedural aspects include choosing a suitable instrument, calibrating against known standards, performing measurements under defined conditions, and estimating measurement uncertainty. Typical examples include measuring length with a ruler, mass with a balance or digital scale, temperature with a calibrated thermometer, time with a clock, and voltage with a voltmeter.

Accuracy in direct measurement depends on instrument resolution, proper calibration, and stable environmental conditions. In metrology, direct measurements often have higher accuracy because they avoid propagation of errors associated with derived quantities, but they can be limited by instrument capabilities and physical constraints.

In practice, direct measurement is foundational in quality control, laboratory science, and engineering; in many cases, it is complemented by indirect methods when direct measurement is impractical or impossible. Related concepts include indirect measurement, measurement uncertainty, and calibration.