Question 7.8: Distinguish “orthodox” representativeness from “maximum” rep...

“Orthodox representativeness”, which is that implicit in chemical metrology, is the consistency between the results and the sample or aliquot analysed to obtain them. Therefore, it applies to traceability of the results to the sample or aliquot.
“Maximum representativeness” comprises consistency between the results and the sample or aliquot used to obtain them, and also between the analytical problem and the socio-economic problem. The concept includes fitness for purpose, which pertains to the applied, socio-economic side of Analytical Chemistry only. Therefore, maximum representativeness is associated to the traceability chain results–sample (aliquot)–analytical problem–socio-economic problem; also, it is the result of a mixed (orthodox–heterodox) approach to traceability of the sample (aliquot).