analytical chemistry Editor: Herbert A. Laitinen EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 202-872-4570 Teletype: 710-8220151 Managing Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi Associate Editors: Andrew A. Husovsky. Barbara Cassatt Associate Editor, Easton: Elizabeth R Rufe Assistant Editor: Stuart A. Borman Editorial Assistant: Ann M. Ramish Production Manager: Leroy L. Corcoran Art Director: John V. Sinnett Designer: Alan Kahan Advisory Board: L . S. Birks, Peter Carr. David Firestone. Kurt F. J. Heinrich. Philip F. Kane. Barry L. Karger, J, Jack Kirkland, Marvin Margoshes. Robert S . McDonald, James W. Mitchell, Royce W. Murray, Harry L. Pardue. Garry A. Rechnitz. Walter Siavin. John P Walters Instrumentation Advisory Panel: Gary D. Christian. Catherine Fenselau. Gary M. Hieftle, Tomas Hirschfeid, Peter T. Kissinger. C. David Miller, Carter L Olson, Sidney L. Phillips, Thomas H. Ridgway Regulations, Analytical Division Ad Hoc Committee: Robert A. Libby (Chairman). Warren B. Grummett. William T. Donaldson. Donald T. Sawyer Contributing Editor: Claude A . Lucchesi Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston. Ill. 6020 1 Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 16th Street, N.W Washington, D.C 20036 Books and Journals Division Director: D. I-. Michael Bowen Journals: Charles R Bertsch Magazine and Production: Bacil Guiley Research and Development: Seldon W. Terrant
The Role of the Analytical Laboratory The traditional role of the analytical laboratory in a research establishment is to receive samples, execute measurements (perhaps as specified by the customer), and report results. The laboratory is equipped to perform certain types of analyses on particular types of samples on a routine basis. Nonroutine samples are handled either by a special individual or group, or they are sent to outside laboratories. \Yith variations in the available instrumentation and personnel, and allowing for differences in the nature of the samples, this general model fits a good many laboratories even today. Unfortunately. it falls short of meeting the needs of either the well-trained modern analytical chemist or the customers of the laboratory. T h e analytical chemist feels frustrated by being unable to use his imagination and training 1,o the fullest because he has not been informed about the full background of the sample, its urgency, or the use to which the measurements will be put. The customer may receive inadequate information because of specifying the wrong measurement or method. In some establishments, the result has been to use the central analytical facility for only strictly routine samples, and to decentralize analytical measurements of a nonroutine character. Such a decentralization is necessarily not bad in principle, for there are situations in which the measurement should be brought to the problem, rather than the sample to the measurements. Inefficiency arises when the chemist involved with the project is not trained to choose the most appropriate measurement or is not experienced in carrying it out. A flexible arrangement allowing for analytical personnel to work outside the confines of their own laboratory can be mutually advantageous. For the most part, however, the key to a satisfactory analytical operation lies in adequate communication between the analytical laboratory and its potential customers. All research personnel should be made aware of the capabilities and limitations of the analytical laboratory, and be informed of changes in equipment and personnel. New prohlems should be discussed before samples are collected, and the types of measurements agreed upon. Urgent problems should be identified, and a time schedule worked out. Results should be reported with an indication of'the method used and an estimation of probable error or limit of detection. Oftentimes, an initial attack on a problem will lead at best to a partial solution, so a follow-up discussion will be in order. Such operating procedures are actually followed in some organizations, and they pay off in efficiency of operation as well as in good morale among analytical chemists.
Circulation Development: Marion Gurfein Manuscript requirements are published in the January 1979 issue, page 17 1 Manuscripts for publication ( 4 copies) should be submitted to ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY at the ACS Washington address. The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society
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