A method of exceptional scientific status which is sufficiently accurate to stand
alone in the determination of a given property for the certification of a
reference material. Such a method must have a firm theoretical foundation so that
systematic error is negligible relative to the intended use. Analyte masses (amounts) or concentrations
must be measured directly in terms of the base units of measurements, or indirectly
related through sound theoretical equations. Definitive methods, together with certified
reference materials, are primary means for transferring accuracy, i.e. establishing
traceability.
Source:
PAC, 1995, 67, 1699
(Nomenclature in evaluation of analytical methods including detection and quantification
capabilities (IUPAC Recommendations 1995))
on page 1701
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by
A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997).
XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic,
J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.
