Editors' Column
Problem-Solving in the Real World Oftentimes, we seem to have solu tions looking for problems. Our re search pages report the development and refinement of very sophisticated analytical instrumentation and meth odology. When applications are re ported, the approaches presented ap pear straightforward. Turning the equation around, we know t h a t in the real world, we have very complex problems t h a t very often resist solution. T h e most logical and straightforward approaches often don't work and merely baffle us. We may even have a difficult time defin ing the problem. Even the most seem ingly simple problem may present unexpected difficulties because of un known variables which we discover in our often frustrating efforts at solu tion. THE ANALYTICAL APPROACH, a feature t h a t appears irregularly in AN ALYTICAL C H E M I S T R Y , is designed to focus primarily on problem-solving. We will start 1980 with a new panel of experts to help the editorial staff gather interesting material t h a t will be both stimulating and useful for our readers. See page 1425 A, this issue. We invite our readers to consider their own problem-solving activities with a view to sharing any particularly troublesome and interesting experi ences with other readers. Articles should describe the problem and its origins. Emphasis should be on real examples a n d some sense of the im portance, economic or otherwise, should be conveyed. T h e reasoning be hind the analytical approaches taken should be included. Interactions with others t h a t demonstrate the kind of cooperation needed in analytical prob lem-solving might also be described. T h e editorial staff can provide as sistance in organizing, illustrating, and presenting the article. Articles should be geared for the broad general inter est reader rather than written for the specialist. Examples of published arti cles may be readily found by consult ing the A-page indexes of the Decem ber issues of t h e years 1974 through 1979. Inquiries or proposed articles should be sent to assistant editor, Stu art Borman, A N A L Y T I C A L C H E M I S
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ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 5 1 , NO. 14, DECEMBER 1979 · 1463 A
