TERMINOLOGY FOR GEOLOGICAL REFERENCE MATERIAL VALUES: A PROPOSAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (ISO), PRODUCERS AND USERS

Abstract

A new terminology is proposed for categorising values in geological reference materials based on the confidence that may be placed in an individual datum. This classification scheme is designed to be applicable to data derived from both cooperative analysis programmes and compilations of data published in the literature. Use of the following terminology is proposed: “certified value equivalent”, “recommended value” and “provisional value”, depending on the associated one sigma confidence limits and other analytical criteria listed in Table 1. To demonstrate the application to data that was originally assessed using different criteria and terminology, the proposed scheme has been used to reclassify data derived from the cooperative analysis program for USGS SDO‐1 (Devonian Shale) and a compilation of published data for USGS G‐1 (granite).