Planning for quality data

Abstract Advance planning is essential for the production of quality data. Before any planning is attempted, a well-defined model of the problem under investigation must be established. The measurements may be made to test the model or they may be used with the model to clarify or solve the problem under investigation. In the planning process, chemical measurement must be considered as a system consisting of sampling, calibration, analysis, and data processing. Appropriate quality assurance procedures must be applied to ensure statistical control and evaluation of the data. Because of the interdependence of the various aspects of measurement, they must be planned in a coordinated mode, involving subject matter, measurement, and statistical expertise. Details of all of the above are discussed in the paper.