title: Linearity and calibration. A clinical laboratory perspective.
abstract: This article discusses the relationship of calibration and linearity using the example of glutaraldehyde assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Assuming adequate precision and a lack of interference, the relationship of calibration to a method's linear range becomes all important to achieving quality analytical results. Linearity is an objective description of the relationship between a quantitative method's final answer and true analyte concentration. Calibration brings this relationship into correspondence with calibrator concentration. The reportable range is that range within which a specified method produces results within defined allowable error without resorting to dilution of the specimen. The reportable range assumes a linear relationship between true analyte concentration and analytical results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City 73034.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Passey
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Maluf
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D005976:Glutaral / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D016014:Linear Models; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D005976:Glutaral