Considerations for inference to Decision Units

The goal of sampling is to take a small portion of a target material for analysis instead of collecting all the material. If sampling is done following certain principles, then inference can be made from analytical results of the portion taken back to the entire target material (Decision Unit). There are different sampling strategies that are dependent on the properties of the material being sampled as well as different methods for making inferences from analytical results to the Decision Unit (DU). A thorough understanding of material properties and methods for inference is therefore critical for the development of proper sampling protocols. This paper addresses inferences from analytical test results to DUs and the implications to the development of a sampling protocol.