In Pursuit of the True Value

In Pursuit of the True Value

Error and the Use of Standards in Producing Accurate Data

Analytical laboratories face more challenges and regulations than ever before as accreditation bodies issue increasing numbers of guidelines; and regulatory agencies increase the number of analytes that need to be reported while the levels of detection required decrease. A lot of time, effort and money is invested in deciphering the data and determining its validity and accuracy. Often terms which describe data are used incorrectly or interchangeably to try to validate a data set or methodology (i.e. error vs. uncertainty, precision vs. accuracy, etc.). One of the first steps to understanding and validating data is the proper application of appropriate statistics and the understanding of the use and terminology of analytical processes.