ASTM D7783-13

5.1?Appropriate application of this practice should result in a WQE achievable by the laboratory in applying the tested method/matrix/analyte combination to routine sample analysis. That is, a laboratory should be capable of measuring concentrations greater than WQE_{Z %}, with the associated RSD equal to Z % or less.

5.2?The WQE values may be used to compare the quantitation capability of different methods for analysis of the same analyte in the same matrix within the same laboratory.

5.3?The WQE procedure should be used to establish the within-laboratory quantitation capability for any application of a method in the laboratory where quantitation is important to data use. The intent of the WQE is not to impose reporting limits. The intent is to provide a reliable procedure for establishing the quantitative characteristics of the method (as implemented in the laboratory for the matrix and analyte) and thus to provide the laboratory with reliable information characterizing the uncertainty in any data produced. Then the laboratory may make informed decisions about censoring data and has the information necessary for providing reliable estimates of uncertainty with reported data.

1.1?This practice establishes a uniform standard for computing the within-laboratory quantitation estimate associated with Z % relative standard deviation (referred to herein as WQE_{1.2?WQEZ % is computed to be the lowest concentration for which a single measurement from the laboratory will have an estimated Z % relative standard deviation (Z % RSD, based on within-laboratory standard deviation), where Z is typically an integer multiple of 10, such as 10, 20, or 30. Z can be less than 10 but not more than 30. The WQE10 % is consistent with the quantitation approaches of Currie (1)² and Oppenheimer, et al 1.3?The fundamental assumption of the WQE is that the media tested, the concentrations tested, and the protocol followed in the developing the study data provide a representative and fair evaluation of the scope and applicability of the test method, as written. Properly applied, the WQE procedure ensures that the WQE value has the following properties:}

1.4?The WQE applies to measurement methods for which instrument calibration error is minor relative to other sources, because this practice does not model or account for instrument calibration error, as is true of quantiation estimates in general. Therefore, the WQE procedure is appropriate when the dominant source of variation is not instrument calibration, but is perhaps one or more of the following:

1.5?Data Quality ObjectivesFor a given method, one typically would compute the lowest % RSD possible for any given data set. Thus, if possible, WQE_{10 %} would be computed. If the data indicated that the method was too noisy, one might have to compute instead WQE