Some statistical properties of the results obtained by the standard additions method demonstrated by computer simulations

Computer simulations have been used to study some properties of the analytical result from applications of the method of standard additions. Either a constant or a proportionate error was assumed in the analytical signal. The distributions of the analyte concentrations obtained under various conditions are shown and discussed. Several expression from the literature for estimating confidence limits are compared and their applicability evaluated. The influence on the result of a correct weighting scheme and, above all, the size of the standard deviation of the signal and Students t-value associated with the determination are brought out.