7.1 Introduction
285
• Appraising a material.
• Determining whether a given location is polluted,
• Issuing a clinical diagnosis.
• Determining whether animals for human consumption have been given forbidden
hormones.
•
The analytical data on which these decisions are to rest should be clear-cut and unequivocal.
In addition, the information should be timely delivered, cost-effective, ere, if it is to help solve
the social-economic problem addressed. Analytical information that is delivered too late will
be poor information as it will be of no use in making a decision subjected to a deadline; the
results supplied, however metrologically excellent, will be absolutely useless for the intended
purpose, Such is the case with the analysis of perishables, which decay with time: the longer
obtaining the analytical results take, the poorer will be the quality of the product reaching the
consumer.
Following a discussion of the meanings of "problem" in Analytical Chemistry,
the analytical problem is defined as an interface between the client and the
analytical chemist, and its essential elements and the generic steps involved in its
resolution are described. Consistency and divergence between the information
required and that supplied is then analysed, and the analytical problem is placed
in the context of analytical quality.
__ Box 7.2
Who is the "client" of an analytical laboratory? The easiest answer to this question is "the
person who requests the (bio)chemical information about an object (system) or sample':
However, this question necessitates a more specific answer since the client is a key element
in defining the analytical problem and assessing the output (reports). The client's opinion is
essential as quality, in its broadest sense, involves satisfying him or her.
Firsr, one must consider whether the analytical laboratory is a part of the body requesting
the information, i. e. whether it is administratively bound to the client. Obviously, the
relationship (interface) between the two parties will be rather different depending on it. As a
rule, the more independent of the client the laboratory is, the greater will be the freedom of
the latter to act objectively and its scientific and technical consistency in approaching the
analytical problem.
Second, one must consider the nature of the body requiring the analytical information to
solve its problem. A wide range of situations between those of multinationals and public
bodies exist that obviously call for different approaches to the analytical problem.
Third, one must consider the human factor, which is crucial to the client-analytical
chemist relationship. The interested body requests information via its officials, who should be
competent enough to accurately state their needs if the analytical problem is to be properly
approached.
285
• Appraising a material.
• Determining whether a given location is polluted,
• Issuing a clinical diagnosis.
• Determining whether animals for human consumption have been given forbidden
hormones.
•
The analytical data on which these decisions are to rest should be clear-cut and unequivocal.
In addition, the information should be timely delivered, cost-effective, ere, if it is to help solve
the social-economic problem addressed. Analytical information that is delivered too late will
be poor information as it will be of no use in making a decision subjected to a deadline; the
results supplied, however metrologically excellent, will be absolutely useless for the intended
purpose, Such is the case with the analysis of perishables, which decay with time: the longer
obtaining the analytical results take, the poorer will be the quality of the product reaching the
consumer.
Following a discussion of the meanings of "problem" in Analytical Chemistry,
the analytical problem is defined as an interface between the client and the
analytical chemist, and its essential elements and the generic steps involved in its
resolution are described. Consistency and divergence between the information
required and that supplied is then analysed, and the analytical problem is placed
in the context of analytical quality.
__ Box 7.2
Who is the "client" of an analytical laboratory? The easiest answer to this question is "the
person who requests the (bio)chemical information about an object (system) or sample':
However, this question necessitates a more specific answer since the client is a key element
in defining the analytical problem and assessing the output (reports). The client's opinion is
essential as quality, in its broadest sense, involves satisfying him or her.
Firsr, one must consider whether the analytical laboratory is a part of the body requesting
the information, i. e. whether it is administratively bound to the client. Obviously, the
relationship (interface) between the two parties will be rather different depending on it. As a
rule, the more independent of the client the laboratory is, the greater will be the freedom of
the latter to act objectively and its scientific and technical consistency in approaching the
analytical problem.
Second, one must consider the nature of the body requiring the analytical information to
solve its problem. A wide range of situations between those of multinationals and public
bodies exist that obviously call for different approaches to the analytical problem.
Third, one must consider the human factor, which is crucial to the client-analytical
chemist relationship. The interested body requests information via its officials, who should be
competent enough to accurately state their needs if the analytical problem is to be properly
approached.