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Quality control in analytical chemistry, 2nd edition
161I
Book Reviews Quality
Control in Analytical
Chemistry,
2nd Edition: G. KATEMANand L. BUYDENS.Wiley, Chichester,
1993. Pages
xvii + 317. f49.50. ISBN o-471-55777-3. This second edition has maintained a strong focus on chemometric techniques with particular relevance in data quality evaluation whilst introducing more in the way of multivariate techniques which were not so fully covered in the first edition. For me the strongest features of the book are its directness and relevance to the subject area and the importance it places on sampling methodology. The reader can quickly get to grips with the relevant techniques which are practically illustrated throughout the text. Whilst the various techniques are described clearly they remain succinct and to the point which serves to neither confuse or over elaborate the subject. Following a brief introductory Chapter which sets the scene. Chapter 2 focuses on sampling. In this Chapter important parameters and considerations in respect of bulk sampling are considered together with sample storage and transportation, this Chapter should be compulsory reading for any analyst involved in the sampling and analysis of “real” samples. Chapter 3 addresses the importance of data quality and elucidates on the many techniques available in the area. Interestingly many analysts whilst acknowledging the importance of such methodology really do it properly. This chapter is for just such people. Chapter 4 contains much of the revised and new second edition material and describes data processing techniques. These range from tests for Normality through Information Theory, signal filtering to PCA and pattern recognition. Once again a pragmatic approach has been taken by the authors and the reader can expect a clear illustration of each technique. One point of caution to note, however, is that this chapter uses no standard terminology, this is unfortunately a geographical and historical problem with chemometric techniques and one which is improving, but anomalies do still remain. The final Chapter of the book considers the organizational aspects of quality management and reviews some of the important organizational factors to watch out for. Priced at just under 00 I consider this book to be of good value as there is little filling and plenty of direct fact in it. It is easy to read, set out in short sections offering a comprehensive overview of the subject. For those involved in sampling, analysis and data processing, I strongly recommend this book as both a reference and educational text. S. J. HASWELL Basic concepts of Analytical
Chemistry: S. M. KHOPKAR,Wiley Eastern, New Delhi, 1984 (third reprint
1992). Pages
xvi + 368. ISBN O-85226-461-5. This book is intended for Wiley’s Eastern region (India) and is not available for sale in the West. The poor production quality of this paperback is presumably aimed at making it affordable to students/libraries in the third world; but the thought has occurred to me that adopting this philosophy in the West would be one way of ensuring that students buy recommended texts! This is the third re-print of the book and contains 33 chapters covering most areas of interest to the analytical chemist. Chapters finish with a few problems for the student to attempt self assessment (answers are provided at the end of the book). The book, as said in the foreword, places some stress on the reliability of analytical data and on sampling techniques. Indeed these introductory chapters are useful, but the remainder of the text, devoted to individual analytical areas, is sadly lacking in its structure and content. Most of the important details are covered, but in a superficial and confusing manner. The overall impression is not helped by the poor quality of the figures and the English. Although this is the third re-print no additional material has been incorporated since the first edition (1984). In short this book needs a thorough revision before I would recommend it to my students. B. A. MCGAW Rheological Techniques, 2nd Edition: R. W. WHORLCIW, Ellis Horwood,
1992. Pages xvii + 460. E60.00. ISBN 13-775370-5.
It is always instructive to read the author’s preface to a book because this gives the raison d’&tre of the book and indicates the approach adopted during writing. This book is intended to centre around experimental methods which will be valuable to a wide audience. This has allowed the author to cover a wide range of techniques and to use varied examples. As he indicates, he has “attempted to give an account of the principles of all the important, and many of the less important, rheological test methods”. With such a wide remit, ordering and grouping of methods in a logical manner is bound to create problems. These are recognised by the author, and where arbitrary divisions are required, as for example in Chapters 4 and 5, these are clearly explained. The index is also adequate for helping those searching for particular techniques. The book starts with a mainly theoretical chapter, starting from the basics of stress, strain, strain rate, leading through rheological models of flow to more detail on stress and strain analysis. The next two Chapters deal in detail with tube and rotational viscometers respectively. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with tests which involve the sudden application or removal of force, with the main emphasis on viscoelastic fluids. Chapter 4 deals with essentially small strains, whilst Chapter 5 deals with larger strains. Following this Chapter 6 deals with dynamic tests, i.e., methods which involve harmonic variation of stress and/or strain with time. Wave propagation methods, where inertia cannot be ignored, are dealt with in Chapter 7. The final Chapter deals with the analysis of viscoelasticity measurements-Creep, mechanical and electrical analogues, Stress relaxation, and leads through to time-temperature superposition and the relationship between the main viscoelastic parameters. The text is clearly and logically written. Equally, the many examples from the literature are presented for their relevance and wider applicability. Constantly the reader is referred to specific research sources or other more general texts. The book is rounded off by a series of Appendices giving details of the commercial apparatus currently available, together with relevant addresses. The detailed information in the tables is impressive and not always readily available from trade literature.
Book Reviews Quality
Control in Analytical
Chemistry,
2nd Edition: G. KATEMANand L. BUYDENS.Wiley, Chichester,
1993. Pages
xvii + 317. f49.50. ISBN o-471-55777-3. This second edition has maintained a strong focus on chemometric techniques with particular relevance in data quality evaluation whilst introducing more in the way of multivariate techniques which were not so fully covered in the first edition. For me the strongest features of the book are its directness and relevance to the subject area and the importance it places on sampling methodology. The reader can quickly get to grips with the relevant techniques which are practically illustrated throughout the text. Whilst the various techniques are described clearly they remain succinct and to the point which serves to neither confuse or over elaborate the subject. Following a brief introductory Chapter which sets the scene. Chapter 2 focuses on sampling. In this Chapter important parameters and considerations in respect of bulk sampling are considered together with sample storage and transportation, this Chapter should be compulsory reading for any analyst involved in the sampling and analysis of “real” samples. Chapter 3 addresses the importance of data quality and elucidates on the many techniques available in the area. Interestingly many analysts whilst acknowledging the importance of such methodology really do it properly. This chapter is for just such people. Chapter 4 contains much of the revised and new second edition material and describes data processing techniques. These range from tests for Normality through Information Theory, signal filtering to PCA and pattern recognition. Once again a pragmatic approach has been taken by the authors and the reader can expect a clear illustration of each technique. One point of caution to note, however, is that this chapter uses no standard terminology, this is unfortunately a geographical and historical problem with chemometric techniques and one which is improving, but anomalies do still remain. The final Chapter of the book considers the organizational aspects of quality management and reviews some of the important organizational factors to watch out for. Priced at just under 00 I consider this book to be of good value as there is little filling and plenty of direct fact in it. It is easy to read, set out in short sections offering a comprehensive overview of the subject. For those involved in sampling, analysis and data processing, I strongly recommend this book as both a reference and educational text. S. J. HASWELL Basic concepts of Analytical
Chemistry: S. M. KHOPKAR,Wiley Eastern, New Delhi, 1984 (third reprint
1992). Pages
xvi + 368. ISBN O-85226-461-5. This book is intended for Wiley’s Eastern region (India) and is not available for sale in the West. The poor production quality of this paperback is presumably aimed at making it affordable to students/libraries in the third world; but the thought has occurred to me that adopting this philosophy in the West would be one way of ensuring that students buy recommended texts! This is the third re-print of the book and contains 33 chapters covering most areas of interest to the analytical chemist. Chapters finish with a few problems for the student to attempt self assessment (answers are provided at the end of the book). The book, as said in the foreword, places some stress on the reliability of analytical data and on sampling techniques. Indeed these introductory chapters are useful, but the remainder of the text, devoted to individual analytical areas, is sadly lacking in its structure and content. Most of the important details are covered, but in a superficial and confusing manner. The overall impression is not helped by the poor quality of the figures and the English. Although this is the third re-print no additional material has been incorporated since the first edition (1984). In short this book needs a thorough revision before I would recommend it to my students. B. A. MCGAW Rheological Techniques, 2nd Edition: R. W. WHORLCIW, Ellis Horwood,
1992. Pages xvii + 460. E60.00. ISBN 13-775370-5.
It is always instructive to read the author’s preface to a book because this gives the raison d’&tre of the book and indicates the approach adopted during writing. This book is intended to centre around experimental methods which will be valuable to a wide audience. This has allowed the author to cover a wide range of techniques and to use varied examples. As he indicates, he has “attempted to give an account of the principles of all the important, and many of the less important, rheological test methods”. With such a wide remit, ordering and grouping of methods in a logical manner is bound to create problems. These are recognised by the author, and where arbitrary divisions are required, as for example in Chapters 4 and 5, these are clearly explained. The index is also adequate for helping those searching for particular techniques. The book starts with a mainly theoretical chapter, starting from the basics of stress, strain, strain rate, leading through rheological models of flow to more detail on stress and strain analysis. The next two Chapters deal in detail with tube and rotational viscometers respectively. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with tests which involve the sudden application or removal of force, with the main emphasis on viscoelastic fluids. Chapter 4 deals with essentially small strains, whilst Chapter 5 deals with larger strains. Following this Chapter 6 deals with dynamic tests, i.e., methods which involve harmonic variation of stress and/or strain with time. Wave propagation methods, where inertia cannot be ignored, are dealt with in Chapter 7. The final Chapter deals with the analysis of viscoelasticity measurements-Creep, mechanical and electrical analogues, Stress relaxation, and leads through to time-temperature superposition and the relationship between the main viscoelastic parameters. The text is clearly and logically written. Equally, the many examples from the literature are presented for their relevance and wider applicability. Constantly the reader is referred to specific research sources or other more general texts. The book is rounded off by a series of Appendices giving details of the commercial apparatus currently available, together with relevant addresses. The detailed information in the tables is impressive and not always readily available from trade literature.