Collaborative Trials: Their Use and Abuse
Abstract
NRl lHG The design and operation of Collaborative Trials are discussed, with special reference to their value to Public Analysts and to the responsibilities ofboth the organisen and the participating laboratories. Many Public Analysts have recently been involved in several1,2,3,4’s,6 collaborative trials (referred to hereafter as Trials) of analytical methods for the determination of a component or components of foodstuffs and the like. Some Public Analysts have questioned the value of these Trials, requiring as they do the expenditure of much time by assistants whose primary function is the analysis of samples submitted officially by the Local Authority; this criticism can be answered only by consideration of the cost-effectiveness of these Trials.
