The Analytical Problem
Objectives
• To introduce the ·problem" concept in Analytical Chemistry.
• To describe, in a systematic manner, the general steps of the analytical problemsolving process via a variety of examples.
• To compare the information required from and supplied by the analytical
laboratory.
• To emphasize the applied side of Analytical Chemistry and its social-economic
role.
Table of Contents
7.1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 283
7.2
Meanings of "Problem"in Analytical Chemistry . . . . . ...... . .. . . . .. 286
7.3
Integral Definition of Analytical Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 286
7.4
Elements of the Analytical Problem ........ . . . .... . ... . . .... 289
7.5
Steps of the Analytical Problem-solving Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 290
7.5.1 Identifying and Confirming the Information Required . . . . . . . . . . .. 291
7.5.2 Pinpointing the Analytical Information Required .. .. .. . .... . .. 292
7.5.3 Planning the Analytical Approach .. .. . . . . . ...... . . .... . 294
7.5.4 Monitoring the Results . . ... . . . . . . . . .. . .... . . ... ... 296
7.5.5 Implementing Corrective Actions .... . .. .. .... . .. ..... . 297
7.6
Consistency Between Required Information and Supplied Information .... . . 297
7.7
The Analytical Problem in the Context of Quality ................ . . 299
Questions ................................ . .... . ........ 301
Seminars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 304
Suggested Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 305
I 7.1 Introduction
As noted in Chap. I, Analytical Chemistry aims to extract the (bio)chemical
information latent in an object or system with a view to making well-founded,
efficient, timely decisions (see Fig. 1.5). In summary, the primary goal of Analytical Chemistry is to reduce the generic uncertainty (see Figs 2.3 and 2.4) in
the qualitative, quantitative and structural (bio )chemical information of matter
in space and time.
Objectives
• To introduce the ·problem" concept in Analytical Chemistry.
• To describe, in a systematic manner, the general steps of the analytical problemsolving process via a variety of examples.
• To compare the information required from and supplied by the analytical
laboratory.
• To emphasize the applied side of Analytical Chemistry and its social-economic
role.
Table of Contents
7.1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 283
7.2
Meanings of "Problem"in Analytical Chemistry . . . . . ...... . .. . . . .. 286
7.3
Integral Definition of Analytical Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 286
7.4
Elements of the Analytical Problem ........ . . . .... . ... . . .... 289
7.5
Steps of the Analytical Problem-solving Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 290
7.5.1 Identifying and Confirming the Information Required . . . . . . . . . . .. 291
7.5.2 Pinpointing the Analytical Information Required .. .. .. . .... . .. 292
7.5.3 Planning the Analytical Approach .. .. . . . . . ...... . . .... . 294
7.5.4 Monitoring the Results . . ... . . . . . . . . .. . .... . . ... ... 296
7.5.5 Implementing Corrective Actions .... . .. .. .... . .. ..... . 297
7.6
Consistency Between Required Information and Supplied Information .... . . 297
7.7
The Analytical Problem in the Context of Quality ................ . . 299
Questions ................................ . .... . ........ 301
Seminars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 304
Suggested Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 305
I 7.1 Introduction
As noted in Chap. I, Analytical Chemistry aims to extract the (bio)chemical
information latent in an object or system with a view to making well-founded,
efficient, timely decisions (see Fig. 1.5). In summary, the primary goal of Analytical Chemistry is to reduce the generic uncertainty (see Figs 2.3 and 2.4) in
the qualitative, quantitative and structural (bio )chemical information of matter
in space and time.