Estimating sampling uncertainty – how many duplicate samples are needed?

Abstract

A knowledge of the measurement uncertainty arising from sampling is crucial for the rational design of sampling programmes and the interpretation of their outputs (AMC Technical Briefs No 16, 2008). Usually the principal source of uncertainty is the lack of homogeneity (either spatial or temporal) in the object of sampling – the sampling target. Other sources of variation—the analytical and sampling processes—are also important.