Evaluation of analytical data

The focus of this chapter has been the evaluation of analytical data, including the use of statistics. In this final section we consider how statistics may be used to characterize a method s ability to detect trace amounts of an analyte. 

Toennes SW, Kauert GF, Steinmeyer S, Moeller MR (2005) Driving under the influence of drugs - evaluation of analytical data of drugs in oral fluid, serum and urine, and correlation with impairment symptoms. Forensic Sci Int 152(2—3) 149—155. doi S0379-0738(04)00443-8 [pii] 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.08.002... 

Mangels AR, Holden JM, Beecher GR et al. Carotenoid content of fruits and vegetables. An evaluation of analytical data. J Am Diet Assoc 1993 93 284-9. 

In general, most researchers rely on reporting between 15 and 30 PAH-compounds for characterising specific emissions. In order to facilitate intercomparison of results between the large number of laboratories which are engaged in the analysis of PAH and POM emissions and to permit a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of analytical data in terms of environmental, occupational and health impact, a concensus on a minimum number of representative compounds to be reported in all PAH emissions is highly desirable. 

Procedures for statistical evaluation of analytical data from HPLC (and other chromatographic and electrophoretic methods) have been reviewed by Bietz and Simpson [91], The reader is also referred to an excellent article by Scanlon [92] that discusses this topic in detail. 

For a series of analytical signal mea.surements for a well-defined analyte concentration, a statistical uncertainty exists which stems from fluctuations in the analytical system. The precision achievable is an important figure of merit of an analytical procedure, for the statistical evaluation of analytical data see, ->Chemometrics, and classical textbooks [27]-[29], The precision of a measurement procedure is expressed in terms of the standard deviation ... 

APPENDIX 1 Evaluation of Analytical Data 9(>7 alA Precision and Accuracy 967 alB Statistical Treatment of Random Errors 971 alC Hypothesis Testing 983 alD Method of Least Squares 985 Questions and Problems 988... 

The Secretariat shall prepare a preliminary test report based on all above-mentioned data and shall thereafter inform the participants of their performance and shall request comments. The participants shall be given a minimum of one week to inform the Secretariat whether they accept the performance evaluation. The Secretariat shall inform the evaluating laboratory about the comments received concerning the evaluation of analytical data to allow it to take corrective measures if needed and to finalise its report. The Secretariat will finalise its test report on the basis of these results. 

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