Instrumental Analysis Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
Quality Assurance - Correct answer-All encompassing system that controls data
generation
Quality Control - Correct answer-Refers to the policies, procedures, and practices
designed to assure data quality
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) - Correct answer-A detailed description of
how a procedure is to be executed
Includes safety info, personnel qualifications, calibration, sample collection/prep,
troubleshooting, calculations etc.
Raw Data - Correct answer-Individual measurements
Treated Data - Correct answer-Concentrations derived from raw data by use of
calibration method
Results - Correct answer-Quantities reported after statistical analysis of treated data
Use Objective - Correct answer-States purpose for which results will be used
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, Limit of Detection - Correct answer-Lowest concentration of analyte that can be
unambiguously detected but not necessarily quantified; usually defined as the
concentration of the analyte that would give a signal equal to that of the blank plus
3sb (3 times the standard deviation of the blank)
Limit of Quantification - Correct answer-Lowest concentration that can be
determined with acceptable accuracy and precision; typically equal to the signal of
the blank plus 10sb
Specifications - Correct answer-States how good the numbers have to be and what
precautions to take in the analytical procedure
False positive - Correct answer-Says that the concentration exceeds the legal limit
when, in fact, the concentration is below a legal limit
False negative - Correct answer-Says that the concentration is below the limit when
it is actually above the limit
Selectivity (specificity) - Correct answer-Means being able to distinguish analyte
from other species in the sample
Sensitivity - Correct answer-Capability of responding reliably and measurably to
changes in analyte concentration
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Questions and Answers
Quality Assurance - Correct answer-All encompassing system that controls data
generation
Quality Control - Correct answer-Refers to the policies, procedures, and practices
designed to assure data quality
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) - Correct answer-A detailed description of
how a procedure is to be executed
Includes safety info, personnel qualifications, calibration, sample collection/prep,
troubleshooting, calculations etc.
Raw Data - Correct answer-Individual measurements
Treated Data - Correct answer-Concentrations derived from raw data by use of
calibration method
Results - Correct answer-Quantities reported after statistical analysis of treated data
Use Objective - Correct answer-States purpose for which results will be used
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, Limit of Detection - Correct answer-Lowest concentration of analyte that can be
unambiguously detected but not necessarily quantified; usually defined as the
concentration of the analyte that would give a signal equal to that of the blank plus
3sb (3 times the standard deviation of the blank)
Limit of Quantification - Correct answer-Lowest concentration that can be
determined with acceptable accuracy and precision; typically equal to the signal of
the blank plus 10sb
Specifications - Correct answer-States how good the numbers have to be and what
precautions to take in the analytical procedure
False positive - Correct answer-Says that the concentration exceeds the legal limit
when, in fact, the concentration is below a legal limit
False negative - Correct answer-Says that the concentration is below the limit when
it is actually above the limit
Selectivity (specificity) - Correct answer-Means being able to distinguish analyte
from other species in the sample
Sensitivity - Correct answer-Capability of responding reliably and measurably to
changes in analyte concentration
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
