Analytical Chem istry - DePauw University

DRAFTChapter 4Evaluating Analytical DataChapter Overview4A Characterizing Measurements and Results4B Characterizing Experimental Errors4C Propagation of Uncertainty4D The Distribution of Measurements and Results4E Statistical Analysis of Data4F Statistical Methods for Normal Distributions4G Detection Limits4H Using Excel and R to Analyze Data4I Key Terms4J Chapter Summary4K Problems4L Solutions to Practice ExercisesWhen using an analytical method we make three separate evaluations of experimental error.First, before beginning an analysis we evaluate potential sources of errors to ensure that they willnot adversely effect our results. Second, during the analysis we monitor our measurements toensure that errors remain acceptable. Finally, at the end of the analysis we evaluate the qualityof the measurements and results, comparing them to our original design criteria. This chapterprovides an introduction to sources of error, to evaluating errors in analytical measurements,and to the statistical analysis of data.Copyright: David Harvey, 200963