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To most people, accuracy and precision mean the same thing- to someone involved in measurement, the two terms should have very different meanings. In Buckner's book, he theorizes that in our learning of mathematics, we are taught to count, but not taught to measure. This distinction is apparent in the difference between a poll (a measurement) and a vote (a count). The result obtained from counting will be an exact result (barring blunder), while the result obtained from measuring will only approach the truth. We are taught how to deal with exact numbers, but are sometimes not aware of the nature of results we obtain from approximated or measured values.

Measurement, by its nature, is inexact; the magnitude of that "inexactness" is the error. This is distinguished from a blunder, which is the introduction of an error that can be traced to its source, and therefore an error that may be detected, quantified and corrected. A blunder is an actual mistake in the application of a measurement, such as misreading a scale or misadjustment of an instrument. Error is inherent in measurement, and incorporates such things as the precision of the measuring tools, their proper adjustment, and competent application. The analysis of the magnitude of probable error is appropriate in examining the suitability of methods or equipment used to obtain, portray and utilize an acceptable result.

Issues of accuracy and the technology of survey work have been significantly altered by the creation of the global positioning system now in use. It has provided major improvements in accuracy while creating more economical survey services. UDM provides a full range of survey services using the most appropriate and current technologies.

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