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4.2: Techniques, Methods, Procedures, and Protocols

  • Page ID
    219801
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    Suppose you are asked to develop an analytical method to determine the concentration of lead in drinking water. How would you approach this problem? To provide a structure for answering this question, it is helpful to consider four levels of analytical methodology: techniques, methods, procedures, and protocols [Taylor, J. K. Anal. Chem. 1983, 55, 600A–608A].

    A technique is any chemical or physical principle that we can use to study an analyte. There are many techniques for that we can use to determine the concentration of lead in drinking water [Fitch, A.; Wang, Y.; Mellican, S.; Macha, S. Anal. Chem. 1996, 68, 727A–731A]. In graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS), for example, we first convert aqueous lead ions into free atoms—a process we call atomization. We then measure the amount of light absorbed by the free atoms. Thus, GFAAS uses both a chemical principle (atomization) and a physical principle (absorption of light).

    See Chapter 10 for a discussion of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy.

    A method is the application of a technique for a specific analyte in a specific matrix. As shown in Figure 3.2.1 , the GFAAS method for determining the concentration of lead in water is different from that for lead in soil or blood.

    At the top of the hierarchy is techniques with Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy being the example. Next is Methods with examples being Pb in soil, water, and blood. Arrows point from Pb in water to procedures, which are APHA and ASTM, then down to the bottom of the hierarchy: protocols. The example given is EPA.
    Figure 3.2.1 : Chart showing the hierarchical relationship between a technique, methods that use the technique, and procedures and protocols for a method. The abbreviations are APHA: American Public Health Association, ASTM: American Society for Testing Materials, EPA: Environmental Protection Agency.

    A procedure is a set of written directions that tell us how to apply a method to a particular sample, including information on how to collect the sample, how to handle interferents, and how to validate results. A method may have several procedures as each analyst or agency adapts it to a specific need. As shown in Figure 3.2.1 , the American Public Health Agency and the American Society for Testing Materials publish separate procedures for determining the concentration of lead in water.

    Finally, a protocol is a set of stringent guidelines that specify a procedure that an analyst must follow if an agency is to accept the results. Protocols are common when the result of an analysis supports or defines public policy. When determining the concentration of lead in water under the Safe Drinking Water Act, for example, the analyst must use a protocol specified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

    There is an obvious order to these four levels of analytical methodology. Ideally, a protocol uses a previously validated procedure. Before developing and validating a procedure, a method of analysis must be selected. This requires, in turn, an initial screening of available techniques to determine those that have the potential for monitoring the analyte.


    This page titled 4.2: Techniques, Methods, Procedures, and Protocols is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by David Harvey.