Definition

Noun: A statistical quality control procedure used to decide whether to accept or reject an entire lot (batch) of items (merchandise or documents) based on the inspection of a randomly selected sample. The procedure involves pre-defined rules specifying the maximum allowable number of defective items found in the sample; if defects exceed this number, the entire batch is rejected.

Usage

"Acceptance sampling" is a formal term used primarily in manufacturing, quality assurance, and auditing contexts. It is a decision-making tool, not a method for estimating the exact quality level of the entire batch.

Examples

• The factory uses acceptance sampling to check each shipment of components without testing every single unit.
• Before the documents are archived, acceptance sampling is applied to verify their accuracy.
• The contract specified that acceptance sampling with an Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 1.5% would determine if the lot met the standard.

Advanced Usage

• Single Sampling Plan: The most common form, where a decision to accept or reject is made after inspecting one sample from the lot.
• Double Sampling Plan: Involves taking a first sample. If the number of defects is ambiguous, a second sample is taken before making a final decision.
• Sequential Sampling Plan: Items are inspected one by one, and a decision is made after each inspection until enough evidence is gathered to accept or reject the lot.

Variants and Related Words

• Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): The worst tolerable process average (percentage of defects) that is still considered acceptable for sampling purposes.
• Lot Tolerance Percent Defective (LTPD): The quality level considered unacceptable; lots at this defect level should be rejected.
• Operating Characteristic (OC) Curve: A graph that shows the probability of accepting a lot based on its actual quality level for a given sampling plan.

Synonyms

• Statistical quality control (broader term encompassing acceptance sampling)
• Lot acceptance sampling
• Sampling inspection

Related Phrases

• To perform/conduct/carry out acceptance sampling: This is the standard verb collocation for using the procedure.
  • Example: The quality team will perform acceptance sampling on the new batch tomorrow.
• To pass/fail acceptance sampling: Describes the outcome for the batch.
  • Example: The shipment failed acceptance sampling due to an excessive number of faulty parts.

Noun

1. a statistical procedure for accepting or rejecting a batch of merchandise or documents; involves determining the maximum number of defects discovered in a sample before the entire batch is rejected