Group Testing

Abstract

Group testing, the simultaneous testing of more than one unit by one test, can provide substantial economies. Group testing can be done in two stages: the testing of groups followed by testing all units in groups that fail. This procedure can be optimized by selecting the most efficient group size for a process with a specific fraction nonconforming. Greater efficiency can be obtained by multistage group testing: subdividing a group that fails acceptance into successively smaller subgroups, and eventually testing the individual units in the subgroups that fail. These procedures, as opposed to sampling, submit all units to acceptance tests rather than accepting a group whose samples pass an acceptance criterion.

• Group Testing
• Optimization

Additional information

Notes on contributors

August B. Mundel

Mr. Mundel is a Consultant in quality and reliability. He is a Fellow of ASQC.