A NA LVTIC A L C HEMIIST RV EDITOR1A t June 1964,Vol. 36, No.7
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Director of Publications, Applied Journals, ACS, Richard L. Kenyon D i m t o r of Business Operatio.w, Applied Journals, ACS, Joseph H. Kuriey Erecutive Assistant to the Director of Publications, Applied Journals, ,4CS, Rodney N. Hader Assistant to the Director of Publications for Editorial Development, A.pplied Journals, ACS, William Q. Hull Director of Editorial Reseanh, Applied Jiwnab, ACS, Robert F. Gould
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Editor, LAWRENCE T. HALLIIW
EDITORIAL HEADQUARTEIRS Washington, D. C. 20036 1155 Sixteenth St., N. W. Phone: 202-737-3337 Teletype WA 23 Associate Editor: G. Gladyci Gordon Assistant Editors: Anne Conrad, Arnold E. Levitt, Vlrginia E. Stewart Editorial Assistants: Fatricia Ban ko, Josephine Pechan Production Staff-Washington Joeeph J a c o b ( A r t Director) John V. Sinnett ( A r t ) Production Staff-Easton, Pia. 18043 20th and Northampton Ste. Associate Editor: Charlotte C. Sayre Assistant Editor: Elizabeth R. Rufe
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Uncertainty N SPITE of
what they say or would like to believe, those working in the The analytical chemist is often slow in using newer, better procedures and instruments. This probably also accounts for his reluctance to admit that his results could be in error. If he has used his methods for a considerable time, he becomes convinced that they are more correct than his fellow researchers will concede. Statistics have brought in concepts such as confidence limits and probable error and this has produced a feeling of insecurity in many analytical chemists who by nature, like most scientists, prefer to look a t a value and say this is correct. The younger generation of scientists is conditioned to live and work in an atmosphere of statistical uncertainty. Human beings are by nature finite and prefer to think in terms of truth and certainty. The modern scientist conditioned by training to accept uncertainty is moving a step toward the concept of understanding the infinite. Perhaps this element of uncertainty is partially responsible for the drive in man in his quest for truth of which the search for correct physical values is a part. Statistics have done a great service in pointing out that the value obtained by a single determination is subject to many variables, some personal and others procedural.
I scientific disciplines are conservative and resist change.
Contributing Editor: R. H. M U e r Advisory Board: R. N. Adam, G. H.Ayrea, J. E. Barney 11, J. C. Giddirigs, R. F. Goddu, P. B. Hamilton, G. A. Harlow, F. W. McLafferty, M. W. Mallett, G. H. Morrison, J. D. N e w , W. H. REinmuth, I r d S h a i n , J. K. Taylor, J. C. White Advertising Managenwnt REINHOLD PUBLISHING CORP. (for Branch Offices, see page 161 A)
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