The confidence

The confidence

Level Of Confidence

The term "Level Of Confidence" (LOC) is used to describe the percentage of instances that a set of similarly constructed tests will capture the true mean (accuracy) of the system being tested within a specified range of values[1]  around the measured accuracy value of each test.

Put in another way, it makes common sense that as you perform more and more tests on a system (in this case, for accuracy) you become increasingly confident in predicting the result of the next test.[2] 

If a biometric-based matching system has reasonable levels of consistency and repeatability, successive accuracy test result scores will tend to cluster within a progressively narrower range of values[3] as the number of tests increases.

There are (at least) two ways of establishing a reasonably accurate estimate of a system’s accuracy; 1.) Conduct one very large test – in terms of the number of “test sets” or “samples” used -- and declare that the system’s accuracy is the measured accuracy[4] of the test; or, 2.) Conduct many smaller tests and declare that the system’s accuracy will lie somewhere within a range defined by the highest and lowest measured accuracy values obtained in these small tests.

There are some problems associated with the two methods described above:

·      What is a “very large test” in terms of the number of test sets used?

·      How many “smaller tests” should be performed and how many test sets should be in each small test?

Self-confidence

Self-confidence does not necessarily imply 'self-belief' or a belief in one's ability to succeed. For instance, one may be inept at a particular sport or activity, but remain 'confident' in one's demeanor, simply because one does not place a great deal of emphasis on the outcome of the activity. When one does not dwell on negative consequences one can be more 'self-confident' because one is worrying far less about failure or the disapproval of others following potential failure. One is then more likely to focus on the actual situation which means that enjoyment and success in that situation is also more probable. Belief in one's abilities to perform an activity comes through successful experience and may add to, or consolidate, a general sense of self-confidence