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7 The Analytical Problem
ANALYTICAL PROBLEM
Supplying chemical ..... . -_ _ _ _
R& 0 in Analytical
ChemiSlry
information
requi red
Social-economic and
scientific -technical
problems
CD
CD
Improving the intrinsic
Incorporating advances
fundamentals of
from other scientific or
analytical chemistry
technical areas
Fig. 7.2. The two sides of the "problem" in Analytical Chemistry. The traditional boundaries
of the analytical laboratory are broken at 1 and 2
I 7.2 Meanings of "Problem" in Analytical Chemistry
As a scientific discipline, Analytical Chemistry possesses a specific foundation
and developments that distinguish it from other scientific and technical areas of
knowledge (see Figs. 1.9 and 1.11) and relate two of its essential elements - in
addition to education -, viz. research and development (R&D) and the body of
reported CMPs and tools (see Fig. 1.8).
In this context, the word "problem" has the two meanings illustrated in
Fig. 7.2, which consider the basic and applied sides on Analytical Chemistry,
namely: (a) a request for (bio)chemical information arising from a socialeconomic problem (see Box 7.1), which is the side dealt with in this chapter (Fig.
7.2.1); and (b) an innovative approach related to the intrinsic foundation of
Analytical Chemistry and to the incorporation (adaptation) of developments
from other scientific and technical areas.
7.3 Integral Definition of Analytical Problem
The term "analytical problem" was implicitly defined in Chap. 1. This section
describes and integral approach to this concept that takes account of (a) its