Status Key:
- Activity ready for classroom use and testing
- Activity in revision stage, may be available for use
- Activity in Draft Stage
- Activity Topic Identified
Accuracy, Precision and Tolerance: Sorting out Glassware
Status: 2
Peer Reviewed: Yes
Version: 3 (Version 1)
Authors:
Mary Walczak
Christine Nickels Dalton
Juliette Lantz
General Topics:
Significant Figures
Error Analysis
Specific Topics:
Definitions of Accuracy, Precision and Tolerance. Volumetric Glassware.
Content Learning Objectives:
- Differentiate between accuracy and precision
- Compare the tolerance of various pieces of glassware
- Classify data in terms of the accuracy and precision
Process Learning Objectives:
- Interpret tables of volumetric glassware tolerances (Information Processing)
- Infer based on tabulated data (Critical Thinking)
- Collaborate with group members (Teamwork)
Prerequisites:
Types of glassware for preparing solutions, including graduated cylinders, pipets, burets, and volumetric flasks
Definitions of accuracy and precision
Correct method for reading and dispensing from a buret and pipet
Calculate average and standard deviation for a set of data
Time Required: 50 minutes
Date Submitted: February 24, 2009
Instrumental Calibration
Status: 2
Peer Reviewed: Yes
Authors:
Anne Falke
Shirley G Fischer-Drowos
General Topics:
Instrumental Calibration
Specific Topics:
linear range, detection limits
Content Learning Objectives:
- Use a correlation coefficient to ascertain the fit of data to a calibration curve
- Determine the minimum detectable concentration and lower limit of quantitation and distinguish between these.
- Determine the linear dynamic range from a set of calibration data.
Process Learning Objectives:
- Interpret tabulated data (Information processing)
- Produce an xy graph of data (Graphing)
- Interpret calibration curves (Information Processing)
Prerequisites:
How to produce and interpret calibration curves
The meanings of linear regression, correlation coefficient, accuracy and precision.
Time Required: 50 minutes
Date Submitted: November 19, 2008
Quality Control Measures
Status: 2
Peer Reviewed: Yes
Version: 1
Authors:
Anne Falke
Shirley G Fischer-Drowos
General Topics:
Quality Assurance
Specific Topics:
Analysis and handling of calculations for quality control of calibration curves (blanks and check standards) and instrumental analyses (duplicates, spikes, and standard reference materials).
Content Learning Objectives:
- Calculate the spike recovery and relative deviation between replicate samples.
- Use spike recovery and relative deviation between replicate samples to assess and validate sample analysis quality.
- Use spike recovery and relative deviation between replicate samples to assure accuracy and precision of an analysis.
Process Learning Objectives:
- Validate data (Problem Solving)
- Interpret tabulated data (Information processing)
Prerequisites:
Ability to generate and evaluate a calibration curve.
Working knowledge of accuracy and precision.
Time Required: 50 minutes
Date Submitted: January 15, 2009
Interlaboratory Comparisons
Status: 2
Peer Reviewed: Yes
Version: 5 (See Versions 4, 1)
Authors:
Chris Bauer
General Topics:
Error Analysis
Statistical Analysis
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Content Learning Objectives:
- Be able to explain how random and systematic error affects experimental results
- Be able to describe what the purpose of an interlaboratory study is and how it might be conducted
- Be able to explain how spike recovery may be used to evaluate accuracy of a method and of a laboratory
Process Learning Objectives:
- Students will engage in drawing inferences from data presented in graphical form (Information processing, Critical Thinking)
Prerequisites:
Students should be able to describe accuracy and precision at least in crude terms.
Time Required: 50 minutes
Date Submitted: July 15, 2009