Entering the Concentration/Amount of the Validation Sample

Validation Samples are used to check the calibration. They correspond to standard samples in as much as the amount of analyte is known. They are used to validate the calibration, but not to determine the calibration curve.

Enter the known concentration (or amounts) of the different analytes in the validation samples in the QNT Editor. The two sections below explain the ways in which the validation and standard samples can interact and the most common means to implement them. It is up to each user to decide which method is appropriate for a particular application.

1. The validation sample is equal to the standard sample

All individual concentrations/amounts correspond to the concentrations/amounts of a standard sample that has already been used for the calibration curve, especially if the validation sample is injected from a vial containing standard sample.

In this case, an Amount column for the corresponding standard sample is already available in the QNT Editor. The validation sample should have already been assigned to the correct vial. To verify this, proceed as follows:

• On the Amount Table tab page, place the cursor in the header of the Amount column of the corresponding standard sample. Double-click the column header to open the Edit Amount Columns dialog box.

• Select an Amount column (or Unassigned) in the Amount Column window to display the associated standards.

• Select one or more validation samples () in the Standards window and drag them to the appropriate column in the Amount Column window.

• Click OK to close the dialog box and return to the amount table.

All values in the Amount column now apply to the validation sample(s), also.

2. The validation sample is not equal to the standard sample

When using a validation sample whose composition is different from all standard samples (if only in its concentration of amount of one analyte), a separate Amount column must be created for the validation sample. Follow the steps below:

• On the Amount Table tab page of the QNT Editor, double-click the header of an existing Amount column (or select Columns > Edit Amount Columns on the Edit or context menu) to open the Edit Amount Columns dialog box.

• Click New, type a unique column name in the edit field that appears in the Amount Column window, and press Enter.

• Select an Amount column (or Unassigned) in the Amount Column window to display the associated standards.

• Select one or more validation samples () in the Standards window and drag them to the new column in the Amount Column window.

• If the column created for the validation sample is valid for other validation samples or for standard samples, assign the additional standards as described in The validation sample is equal to the standard sample.

• Click OK to close the dialog box.

For information about how to use the validation sample to check the calibration curve, refer to  Validating the Calibration Curve.

For an overview of the calibration options provided by Chromeleon, refer to  Calibrating.