CONTENTS CONTRIBUTORS vIl PREFACE CHAPTER 1 SAMIPLE PREPARATION: AN ANALYTICAL PERSPECTIVE 11. The measurement process I.1. 1. Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis 1. 1.2. Methods of Quantitation 1. 2. Errors in Quantitative Analysis: Accur 1. 2.1. Accuracy 1. 2.2. Precision 1. 2.3. Statistical Aspects of Sample 13. Method Performance and metho Validation 1.3.1. Sensitivity 1.3.2. Detection Limit 14 1.3.3. Range of Quantitation 1.3. 4. Other Important Parameters 13.5. Method validation 1.4. Preservation of Samples 1. 41. volatilization 19 1. 4.2. Choice of Proper Containers 1.4.3. Absorption of Gases from the 1. 4. 4. Chemical Changes 145. Preservation of unstable solidsCONTENTS CONTRIBUTORS xvii PREFACE xix CHAPTER 1 SAMPLE PREPARATION: AN ANALYTICAL PERSPECTIVE 1 Somenath Mitra and Roman Brukh 1.1. The Measurement Process 1 1.1.1. Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis 3 1.1.2. Methods of Quantitation 4 1.2. Errors in Quantitative Analysis: Accuracy and Precision 6 1.2.1. Accuracy 6 1.2.2. Precision 6 1.2.3. Statistical Aspects of Sample Preparation 10 1.3. Method Performance and Method Validation 12 1.3.1. Sensitivity 13 1.3.2. Detection Limit 14 1.3.3. Range of Quantitation 15 1.3.4. Other Important Parameters 15 1.3.5. Method Validation 16 1.4. Preservation of Samples 17 1.4.1. Volatilization 19 1.4.2. Choice of Proper Containers 19 1.4.3. Absorption of Gases from the Atmosphere 20 1.4.4. Chemical Changes 20 1.4.5. Preservation of Unstable Solids 20 vii