The frequency distribution of analytical error

Abstract

The widely held view that the frequency distribution of analytical error is log-normal at concentrations of analyte near the detection limit is examined in detail. It is argued that (a) there is no theoretical reason why such distributions should be log-normal and there is abundant evidence that they are not; (b) quasi-log-normal distributions can be produced as artifacts by data recording practices; and (c) inordinately large numbers of analytical results would be needed to distinguish a log-normal distribution from a normal distribution.