Common research and analytical terms
Terminology can look more certain than it is. These definitions are deliberately concise and should be read alongside the actual method or report where the term appears.
A measurement intended to determine the amount, concentration or activity of a target under a stated method. The report should make clear what is being measured.
An identifier used to link a group of material to its production, packaging or analytical records.
A batch-associated document reporting identifying information and analytical results supplied by the issuer.
The recorded output from a chromatographic separation, showing detector response as components pass through the analytical system.
High-performance liquid chromatography, a technique that separates sample components under defined conditions and can support qualitative or quantitative analysis.
Evidence that a material is consistent with the substance it is represented to be. Identity and purity are different analytical questions.
Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Chromatography separates components before mass-spectrometric detection.
Freeze-dried. Water or another solvent is removed from a frozen material under reduced pressure to produce a dry form.
An analytical technique that measures mass-to-charge information from ions and can provide evidence relevant to molecular identity.
A description of how much of a sample is represented by the target component relative to specified impurities or detected components under a defined method.
A material with characterised properties used as a comparison or calibration reference in an analytical method.
A catalogue restriction indicating that the material is supplied for legitimate laboratory, analytical or scientific research rather than human or veterinary administration or consumption.
The conditions specified for maintaining a material before use, such as temperature, protection from light or moisture, and container requirements.
The ability to connect a material to its identity, batch, records and handling history through a documented chain.