Quality Assurance in Analytical Chemistry
Chapter One
The Need for Reliable Results
Learning Objectives
To understand why analytical measurements need to be made.
To understand the importance of producing reliable results.
To be able to define what is meant by 'quality'.
1.1 Why Analytical Work is Required
Measurements affect the daily lives of every citizen. Sound, accurate and reliable
measurements, be they physical, chemical or biological, are essential to the functioning
of modern society. For these reasons, advanced nations spend up to 6% of
their Gross National Product (GNP) on measurements and measurement-related
operations.
Informed debate and decisions on such important matters as the depletion
of the ozone layer, acid rain and the quality of waterways all depend on the
data provided by analytical chemists. Forensic evidence also often depends on
chemical measurements. National and international trade are critically dependent
on analytical results. Chemical composition is often the basis for the definition
of the nature of g ... read full excerpt from Quality Assurance in Analytical Chemistry ebook
