Teaching of the Concept of Valid Analytical Measurement

1. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Teaching of the Concept of Valid Analytical Measurement • Integration of Quality Assurance (QA) Issues or Separate QA Courses for Higher Education • Important for all students Industrial placement students Analytical/environmental students

2. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Reasons for Integrating the Principles of Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM) into Undergraduate Analytical Courses • VAM is a natural objective of analysis • VAM is best discussed in the context of an appropriate level of analytical knowledge and experience

3. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Types of Students Involved • Students being taught analytical chemistry as part of their higher education • Those who have already received some training, and may be employed as analytical chemists • Those who have received minimal training or education in analytical chemistry

4. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Factors to Consider when Teaching VAM • The information must be interesting, relevant and correct • The teacher must be completely committed to VAM • Mathematical concepts should be introduced gently • QA and Quality Control (QC) are not concepts restricted to analytical measurements

5. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Current Experience at Hull First year (all chemistry students) • 27 hour laboratory class • titrimetry/gravimetry • real applications • emphasise good laboratory practice • estimation of errors • introduce accuracy, precision and standards

6. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Introduction to Analytical Chemistry Second year (analytical/environmental students) • Importance of sampling • Overview of methods • Accuracy/precision/statistics • Choice of instruments/reagents • Certified reference materials • Calibration • Blanks/recoveries etc. • Uncertainty

7. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Second Year Assignment • Each student assigned an analysis e.g. cadmium in natural waters • Must find two or three methods (standard methods if possible) • Select the one they consider “best”, explaining why • Go through method explaining how they would validate it

8. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Students Returning from Industry • Quality Assurance (QA) Topics • Quality systems • Types of systems • Documentation • Quality control • Audit • Valid analytical measurements (VAM) • Sampling • Choice of method • Selection of equipment/materials • Measurement and calibration • Validation • Uncertainty (errors)

9. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Materials Available • Laboratory of the Government Chemist • Tertiary Education Pack Videos • Sampling examples Lets agree to agree • Case studies Uncertainty • Interlaboratory proficiency Certified Reference • testing Materials • Resource list • Computer packages • VAMSTAT

10. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education MChem/MSc Group Practical • Each group assigned an analysis e.g. cadmium in natural waters • Must find two or three methods (one standard method if possible) • Each group member selects a method and validates that method • A reference material is analysed by all methods and results compared • The final report has a joint introduction and conclusions, but individual practical aspects

11. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Industrial Analytical Chemists • Mock Audit (ACOL* students) • Quality Assurance manual prepared • Method set out in laboratory for analysis • Students asked to audit laboratory with respect to method • Extension • Method can be validated for a different sample *ACOL: Analytical Chemistry by Open Learning

12. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Mock Audit • Quality statement This company aims to provide high quality analysis at reasonable costs for its customers. It achieves this aim by having planned and systematic actions and thus give customers the greatest confidence in our results.

13. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Management Structure Managing Director and Quality Manager Senior Technician (reporting directly to Quality Manager) Technician (reporting directly to Senior Technician) Trainee (reporting to Senior Technician)

14. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Quality Audit and Review The quality manager will carry out an internal quality audit once every 3 months (slides 15 and 16) Dates of audit: 21/1/96 No action needed 5/6/96 GC serviced

15. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Training Records Name: Mrs. L. Nobody Job Title: Senior Technician Qualifications: BTEC HNC chemistry Training: Method 1 Alcohol in Beer and Wine 2/1/94 Method 2 Vitamin C in Fruit Juice 14/1/94 Method 3 Caffeine in Iru Bru 20/5/95

16. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Sample Sheet Lab reference number 0025 Date of receipt 12/5/97 Origin Althorpe Customer contact Dr. Need Deadline 15/5/97 Notes - Chemist assigned to sample R. Sventrup Result 0.25 g/P QC reference - Date of reporting 15/5/97 Notes - Disposal of sample Disposed

17. A. Townshend, G.M. Greenway Integration of Quality Assurance Issues for Higher Education Conclusions • Important topic • Needs to be integrated into all work • Applicable to all chemistry students • Best taught by assignment and practical work