PROLab Plus Manual

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ProLab PlusManual

The software package formethod interlaboratory testsand proficiency tests

Version 2.14


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Version: 2.14

For Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7

December 2011

quo data GmbH

Kaitzer Strae 135

D-01187 Dresden

Germany

phone: +49 351 402 88 67 0

fax: +49 351 402 88 67 19

Email: [email protected]

www.quodata.de

Software development

Dipl.-Ing. Norbert Schick

Omri TeufertRobert Walther

Daniel Rothmaler

Sebastian Falk

Dipl.-Phys. Christian Blul

PD Dr. Steffen Uhlig

Manual

Dipl.-Math. Sabine Antoni

Kirsten Simon

Meike Schreitz

PD Dr. Steffen Uhlig

The software described in this manual must only be used or copied according to the terms

and conditions of the license agreement.

Copyright 1998-2011: PD Dr. Steffen Uhlig, Dresden


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Contents

1 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 5

2

Preparation................................................................................................................... 7

2.1

System requirements ............................................................................................. 7

2.2

Installation .............................................................................................................. 7

2.3 Use of interlaboratory test data of older ProLab Plus versions ............................... 8

2.4 Hotline ................................................................................................................... 8

3 Overview ...................................................................................................................... 9

4 General information ....................................................................................................12

4.1

Mouse functions ....................................................................................................12

4.2 Database handling ................................................................................................12

4.3

Important buttons ..................................................................................................12

4.4

Overview of buttons in main window .....................................................................13

5

Selecting ring tests .....................................................................................................14

5.1

Putting ring tests in edit mode ...............................................................................14

6

File menu .....................................................................................................................16

6.1

Settings in reports, tables and charts ....................................................................16

6.1.1 General settings ............................................................................................................... 16

6.1.2 Report settings ................................................................................................................. 17

6.1.3

Caption settings ............................................................................................................... 18

6.2

Start report ............................................................................................................19

6.3

Log info .................................................................................................................19

6.4

New database .......................................................................................................20

6.5

Change database ..................................................................................................20

6.6

Backup file ............................................................................................................21

6.6.1 Restore from file............................................................................................................... 21

6.6.2 Store database to file ....................................................................................................... 21

6.6.3

Advice for long-term storage ............................................................................................ 21

7 Database menu ...........................................................................................................22

7.1 Ring test selection .................................................................................................22

7.2 Basic tables ..........................................................................................................22

7.2.1 How to work with the tables ............................................................................................. 22

7.2.2 Ring tests ......................................................................................................................... 27

7.2.3 Samples ........................................................................................................................... 28

7.2.4

Measurands ..................................................................................................................... 29

7.2.5

Laboratories ..................................................................................................................... 30

7.3

Structure of ring test ..............................................................................................31

7.3.1 Laboratory allocation ....................................................................................................... 32

7.3.2 Sample-measurand allocation ......................................................................................... 33

7.3.3 Sample-measurand-laboratory allocation ........................................................................ 34

7.4 Encoding ...............................................................................................................37

7.4.1

Encoding laboratories ...................................................................................................... 37

7.4.2 Encode test portions ........................................................................................................ 38

7.5

Participating labs and data yet to be submitted .....................................................40

7.6 Characteristics of measurands ..............................................................................41

7.7

Test results ...........................................................................................................43


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7.8 Creation of corrected measurands ........................................................................45

7.9 Analytical methods and sample preparations ........................................................46

7.10 Duplicate ring test .................................................................................................48

7.11 Export ...................................................................................................................48

7.11.1 Test results as CSV file ................................................................................................... 48

7.11.2

Laboratory files ................................................................................................................ 50

7.11.3 Ring test ........................................................................................................................... 54

7.11.4 Email merges ................................................................................................................... 55

7.12 Import ...................................................................................................................61

7.12.1 Import of structure with or without test results ................................................................. 61

7.12.2

Addresses, Measurands & samples, Analytical methods/Sample preparations ............. 64

7.12.3 Ring test ........................................................................................................................... 64

8

Test on homogeneity and stability ............................................................................65

8.1

Import test results .................................................................................................65

8.2

Encoding test portions...........................................................................................66

8.2.1 Uniform encoding of all test portions (for laboratories and for homogeneity analysis) and

random selection of homogeneity test portions ............................................................................ 66

8.2.2 Random selection of test portions for homogeneity test without encoding test portions forlaboratories ................................................................................................................................... 69

8.2.3

Another example for encoding test portions .................................................................... 70

8.3

Test results ...........................................................................................................71

8.4

Computation .........................................................................................................72

8.4.1 Assignment of test portions ............................................................................................. 72

8.4.2 Homogeneity .................................................................................................................... 72

8.4.3

Stability ............................................................................................................................ 76

9 Data selection .............................................................................................................79

9.1 Overview ...............................................................................................................79

9.2 Sample-measurand selection ................................................................................79

9.3

Sample-measurand-laboratory selection ...............................................................81

9.4

Save and load selection ........................................................................................83

10

Statistics .....................................................................................................................84

10.1

Overview ...............................................................................................................84

10.2

Ring test parameters .............................................................................................84

10.2.1 Option for DIN 38402 A 45: logarithmic calculation ......................................................... 87

10.2.2 Determine assigned value ............................................................................................... 88

10.2.3

Determine target s.d. ....................................................................................................... 90

10.2.4

Variance function ............................................................................................................. 91

10.3

Computation of Z-scores .......................................................................................92

10.3.1 Computation tab .............................................................................................................. 92

10.3.2 Score values tab .............................................................................................................. 95

10.3.3 Results tab ....................................................................................................................... 96

11 Charts and tables........................................................................................................98

11.1 Summary results ...................................................................................................99

11.1.1 Right side bar ................................................................................................................. 101

11.1.2

Menu Format.................................................................................................................. 102

11.1.3 Menu Output .................................................................................................................. 102

11.2 Survey of scores .................................................................................................104

11.3

Combination scores ............................................................................................106

11.3.1 Chart of RLP and RSZ ................................................................................................... 106

11.3.2

Laboratory assessment based on RLP ......................................................................... 112


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11.3.3 Distribution of Z scores .................................................................................................. 118

11.3.4 Control chart and extended evaluation .......................................................................... 123

11.4 Test on equivalence ............................................................................................123

11.4.1

Introduction .................................................................................................................... 123

11.4.2

Define classes of methods ............................................................................................. 124

11.4.3

Recovery equivalence ................................................................................................... 12611.4.4 Reproducibility equivalence ........................................................................................... 127

11.4.5

Repeatability equivalence .............................................................................................. 128

11.4.6

Sample specific method effects ..................................................................................... 128

11.4.7 Survey of methods ......................................................................................................... 129

11.4.8 Export of results ............................................................................................................. 129

11.5 Tolerance limits and rel. standard deviations ......................................................129

11.6 Youden plot .........................................................................................................130

11.7 Histogram and normal plot ..................................................................................133

11.8 Chart of lab means and repeatability standard deviation .....................................136

11.9 Kernel density estimator (KDE) ...........................................................................138

11.10

HORRAT trend....................................................................................................141

11.11 Principal Component Analysis (PCA) ..................................................................143

11.12

Mandels h & k statistics ......................................................................................145

11.13

Laboratory mean values ......................................................................................148

11.14

Further reports ....................................................................................................149

12

Quick start: The steps of statistical analysis ..........................................................151

13

Some aspects of the statistical methods in ProLab Plus ......................................156

13.1

When can the method of the Swiss food manual be applied? .............................156

13.2

When can Q/median, Q/Huber or DIN 38402 A45 be applied? ............................156

13.3

When can ISO 5725 and DIN 38402 A42 be applied? ........................................156

13.4

When can the Horwitz function be applied? ........................................................156

13.5 When can the empirical Horwitz function be applied? .........................................157

13.6 When can the nested design analysis according to ISO 5725-3 and ISO 5725-5 beapplied? ..........................................................................................................................157

14 References ................................................................................................................158


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ProLab PlusManual.Introduction

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1 Introduction

ProLab Plus is a software package specially conceived to facilitate a professional and effi-

cient performance of the various tasks which arise in the context of interlaboratory tests, from

statistical analysis to professional data handling. ProLab Plus can be used for the certifica-

tion of reference materials, the evaluation of analytical methods and for the assessment of

laboratories.

ProLab Plus will prove useful at every step of a proficiency test. It provides tools which will

assist you right from the planning stage, to the realization of homogeneity tests, the automat-

ic data input from laboratories, the application of statistical analysis and the generation of re-

ports.

Several statistical methods are available:

- ISO 5725-2- DIN 38402 A42 (German standard for

method ring tests for water analyses)

- Swiss Food Manual

- Q-Method/Median (Robust statistical

method)

- Q-Method/Huber (Robust method for

proficiency tests used e.g. by the Ger-

man co-operation for water analyses

LAWA)

- DIN 38402 A45 (Robust Q-method andHampel estimator)

- ISO 5725-5 (algorithm A+S)

- Nested Design 2x2 (ISO 5725-3/5)

- Nested Design (ISO 5725-3)

- (Empirical) Horwitz function

- ISO 13528

As for the assessment of laboratories, there are also several available protocols, such as the

international Harmonized Protocol of IUPAC, ISO and AOAC1, ISO 13528, DIN 38402 A45,

CD ISO 20612 and the LAWA2protocol. More specifically, the laboratories can be assessed

by

- Z scores, Zuscores, Zeta scores, Z scores

- Youden plots

- RSZ (Rescaled Sum of Z Scores)

- RLP (Relative Laboratory Performance)

- Percentage of successful measurements

ProLab Plus allows flexible data input, whether manual or through the import of digital files.

The simple data entry program RingDat is provided which may be forwarded to the participat-

ing laboratories without extra charge. Additional information on the laboratories and the

methods can be entered into the system, such as addresses, the determination limit and the

detection limit, the sample preparation method and the analytical method.

1Michael Thompson and Roger Wood (1993), International Harmonized Protocol for Proficiency Testing of

(Chemical) Analytical Laboratories. Journal of AOAC International 1993, Vol. 76, 926-940.2AQS der Lnderarbeitsgemeinschaft Wasser fr Wasser-, Abwasser- und Schlammuntersuchungen (Working

Group on water issues of the federal states and the federal government)


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A powerful data selection program assists the user in the evaluation and the presentation of

results, enabling him to sift data as convenient, to generate individual reports or reports for

selections of laboratories, and to set up and save selection patterns. Up to four selection pat-

terns per ring test can be saved.

All results are stored in the database. Comments can be saved for participants, measure-

ments and within charts.

Numerous specialised chart-generating functions are provided to assist in the presentation of

results, while a powerful report designer enables the generation of editable reports. Reports

can be exported into the formats PDF, RTF (Word), XLS (Excel), HTML, Text and CSV.

Charts can be converted into Bitmaps (BMP), Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) and the Win-

dows Meta File format (WMF).


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ProLab PlusManual.Preparation

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2 Preparation

2.1 System requirements

The hardware and software requirements for ProLab Plus are listed in the following table.

Processor Intel Pentium or compatible with at least 1 GHz (> 2.4 GHz recom-

mended)

RAM 512 MB

Hard disk > 300 MB free

Operating System Windows NT (with service-pack 5), Windows 2000, XP Professional

(not Windows XP Home Edition), Windows Vista and Windows 7.

ProLab Plus runs stable under Windows 7, and all calculations and reports work as ex-

pected.

2.2 Installation

1. If you have an existing ProLab Plus version, please backup your current ProLab Plus

program directory and your database before installing the new version into the current

program directory. The path to the database is shown at the very top of the ProLab Plus

window.

2. If you downloaded a setup program from our website, please run it now. If you want to in-stall ProLab using a CD, please put the CD into the drive. The setup program will start

automatically. If not, please run setup.exe in the root directory of the CD.

3. Follow the installation dialogue and use the directories proposed. Upon successful instal-

lation, a program group ProLab will be created, which contains ProLab, a help file for the

Report Designer (Qrduser) and a program for direct input of data from laboratories

(RingDat).

4. Run ProLab Plus.

5. After the first start you will see a registration dialogue with a registration number. You can

phone quo data GmbH (+49 351 402 88 67 0) or send an email ([email protected]) and

you will get the necessary key. After input of the key press Save.

Alternatively, you can proceed as follows. Close the program ProLab Plus. In the program

directory you will find the file REGISTER.INI. Send this file via email to [email protected].

Within one working day, you will receive a new file REGISTER.INI with the key. This file

must be copied into the program directory of ProLab, replacing the original file.


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2.3 Use of interlaboratory test data of older ProLab Plus versions

Since ProLab 2003, a new database format is used (ADS, developed by Sybase which be-

longs to SAP). The current version ProLab Plus 2.14 uses ADS 10. It is therefore not possi-

ble to directly access older BDE databases. However, the conversion program

ProLabMigrator.exe" allows simple conversion of the old databases. Start this program, se-

lect the directories for the BDE database and the ADS database and start the transfer.

2.4 Hotline

In case of problems use the hotline of quo data: +49 351 402 88 67 0 or send an email to:

[email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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3 Overview

The main menu is the starting point of every evaluation using ProLab Plus. You are in the

menu as soon as you successfully start ProLab Plus.

The main menu contains eight modules, which can be selected using the common Windows

techniques (mouse, arrow keys or input of the corresponding character):

- File

- Database

- Homogeneity / Stability

- Selection

- Statistics

- Charts and tables

- Window- Help

The modules are ordered in such a way that, in the performance and evaluation of a ring

test, they are typically activated from left to right. One starts in the module Filewith the defini-

tion of settings for reports and data base tables. That is followed by the description of the ring

test, of the samples and measurands that are to be examined and evaluated, and of the en-

coding of laboratories and samples. Once the results start coming in, they will thus be able to

be imported or manually entered. All necessary functions for the latter procedure are located

in the module Database. If required, a test of the homogeneity of the samples in preparation

for the ring test can be conducted in the module Homogeneity / Stability, which also provides

the necessary functions for any stability tests to be conducted later on. The Selectionmodule

provides all relevant tools for the selection of samples, measurands and laboratories to be

included in assessment and analysis procedures or in the presentation of results. The evalu-

ation, analysis and assessment procedures are then carried out in the module Statistics,

while reports and charts in various layouts can be generated and displayed in the module

Charts and tables. Each step within this sequence affects subsequent steps. All statistical re-

sults obtained at any stage will be directly stored in the database. Earlier results of the same

ring test will be overwritten automatically. If there are some modifications to implement ( e.g.

in the calculation of Z scores) it is not necessary to create a new test: changing the data atthe earliest relevant step is sufficient.

An overview of important functions in ProLab Plus is given in the following table.


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File Settings

Formats, general report settings and report designer

Generate database, change database, backup files

Database Database and data input

Ring test selection

Basic tables: ring tests, samples, measurands (analytes), laboratories

Structure of ring test: assignment of laboratories and measurands

Encoding: Encoding of laboratories and samples

Participating labs and outstanding data

Characteristics of measurands: reference values, units, conversion factors et al.

Definition of analytical methods and sample preparations

Test results

Creation of corrected measurands

Duplicate ring test

Export: CSV files, laboratory files, ring test, email merge

Import: structure/test results, addresses, measurands & samples, analyticalmethods & preparations and ring tests

Homogeneity /Stability

Import and analysis of homogeneity and stability test results

Import test results

Test portion encoding

Test results

Computation of homogeneity and stability

Selection Selection of data for statistical analysis and the presentation of results

Selection of samples and measurands

Selection of samples, measurands and laboratories

Save and load selections

Statistics Analysis and assessment

Calculation of statistical parameters of the ring test (lab means, lab s.d., overall

mean, reproducibility s.d. and repeatability s.d., specification of target value andtarget s.d.)

Calculation of tolerance limits and single scores (Z scores, Zuscores, Zetascores, Z scores)

Charts and

Tables

Charts and tables of the statistical analysis

Comprehensive presentation of results for each sample-measurand combinationseparately

Survey of scores

Combination scores and ring test-spanning analyses

Test on equivalence

Tolerance limits and rel. standard deviations


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Youden plot

Histogram and normal plot

Chart of repeatability standard deviations

Kernel density estimator (KDE)

HORRAT trend

Principal component analysis

Mandels h & k statistics

Laboratory mean values per sample and per measurand

Further reports: number of test results and labs, survey of test results, methodcharacteristics, summary of outliers, individual reports

Help Help function

Program update: check for new version


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4 General information

4.1 Mouse functions

The main functions of the program can be activated by using the left mouse button. Some

additional functions ( e.g. number of columns and column-width in tables) can be activated

by using the right mouse button.

4.2 Database handling

In some forms, data sets ( e.g. measurands, ring tests, labs, samples, test results) can be

accessed, edited, added or deleted. The following commands are available for this purpose:

Back Go to the previous record

Forward Go to the next record

Insert Insert new record

Delete Delete selected record

Save Save changes

Cancel Cancel editing

Please note that it is not possible to undo changes in the database. Therefore it is very im-

portant to make a backup of the database at the beginning of each session, so the original

database can be recovered. For the creation of the backup select FileBackup file.

4.3 Important buttons

The following list explains some important buttons frequently used in the program:

Close Closes current window.

Report Click this button to display a report preview for the selected data. In many

cases, it is also possible, by simultaneously holding down the SHIFT key

, to open a spreadsheet which allows data editing and storage in a way

similar to the Excel program.

Help Activates help for the current window.

Save Click this button to save tables or charts as a file.

Print Click this button to print out reports or charts.

Lab code Click this button to turn switch between the laboratory name (LName) and

the laboratory code (LCode) in charts and tables.


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4.4 Overview of buttons in main window

The buttons in the main-menu toolbar make it possible to easily activate the most important

and commonly used functions. The following table offers an overview of these shortcuts.

Change ring test and define working mode

Settings

Survey of test results

Edit data of basic tables

Assignment of participating laboratories

Assignment of measurands to samples

Assignment of measurand-sample combinations to laboratories

Encoding laboratories

Encoding test portions

Ring test-specific characteristics of measurands

Edit test results

Select sample / measurand for further use

Select sample / measurand / laboratory for further use

Save selection

Load previously saved selection

Calculation of ring test parameters

Calculation of scores and laboratory evaluation

Chart/table of laboratory mean values and standard deviations

Survey of scores

Chart of tolerance limits and rel. standard deviations

Youden plot

Histogram und normal plot

Table of laboratory mean values and scoresper measurand

Table of laboratory mean values and scoresper sampleHelp


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ProLab PlusManual.Selecting ring tests

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5 Selecting ring tests

Many features of ProLab Plus are specific to the selected ring test. Subsequently used mod-

ules and functions always refer to the ring test previously selected in the selection box.

Figure 1: Main menu

There are two different working modes for a ring test. They can be selected from the main

menu via the button Ring testor via the menu DatabaseRing test selection.

5.1 Putting ring tests in edit mode

If you want to work on a ring test, e.g. enter test results, carry out calculations etc., select

the checkbox in theAccesscolumn for the relevant ring test and double click on the ring test,

or close the window and select it from the selection box on the top of the main window.

Figure 2: DatabaseRing test selection


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If you only want to view the results and prepare presentations, do not select the check box,

but double click on the relevant ring test or select it from the selection box on the top of the

main window. No data input or changes are possible in this mode.

If all ring tests should be included in a presentation, all of them need to be made accessible.

Therefore click on the button Make all ring tests accessible. If you dont want any of the ring

tests in the edit mode, click on Make all ring tests read-only.

If a ring test is marked in red, it is currently opened on a different computer. You can also

open it and make changes, but this may lead to inconsistencies in the database.


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6 File menu

The Filemenu contains settings for reports and tables, the report designer and selection of

the database.

6.1 Settings in reports, tables and charts

The Settingsdialogue box allows you to choose different settings for how information will be

displayed in the reports, tables and charts. This includes the specification of number formats

and the name of the institution. Furthermore, the currently used logo is shown. It may be

changed via the button Change.

Changes will be saved automatically upon closing the window or switching between tabs.

6.1.1 General setting s

This tab enables you to enter general settings such as institution name, number format, crea-tion date, chart size and colours. If the check boxes for number format, date or default chart

size are marked, these settings will apply to all tables, forms and graphics displayed.

Figure 3: FileSettingsGeneral

The characters for formatting numerical values are:

. Decimal separator

0 this digit must be a numeric character

# this digit may be a numerical character

E+ exponential notation


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By clicking on Reset chart settings all saved chart settings and profiles as well as information

regarding size and colour are reset to the default setting. By clicking on Reset non-chart set-

tings and confirming the list of configuration files to be deleted, all information regarding insti-

tution, date and number format and many other settings stored by other ProLab windows are

reset to the default setting.

By marking the checkbox Highlight outliers of type E in the summary results this option can

be selected. For further explanation of outliers of type E please refer to chapters 10.2 and

11.1.

6.1.2 Report setting s

The tab Reportscontains a comprehensive list of commonly used report templates. ProLab

Plus offers a wide variety of templates, so the time-consuming task of designing reports can

thereby often be avoided.

Figure 4: FileSettingsReports

Select a report and click this button to open the Report designermodule. Alternative-ly, a double click on the report will open the same module. Any changes become ef-


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fective upon saving the report in the Report Designer module. Customised report are

highlighted in bold writing.

Since for some reports the data is missing in the templates, the report might look

somewhat strange at first when using the preview. Upon input of data, however, you

will find that the report looks fine.

Using this button will reproduce the original report template as created by the installa-

tion program. This button is only relevant for reports highlighted in bold writing, that is

to say, for customised report templates.

Designing new reports is possible, either directly or by using the Report Designer module.

This button opens the Report Designerfor creating a new report.

This button allows you to edit existing reports.

User-defined reports can be accessed via the menu Charts and tables Further reports Own reports.

The last column in the table shows the date of the last adjustment of the report template, not

the date of the last time the report was used.

6.1.3 Caption setting s

The Captionstab contains standard abbreviations for a number of names for titles and head-

ers in charts and tables (e.g. column headers) and enables you to customise them. Please

be aware that these settings will not become effective in every report. In some cases, the

particular report has to be adjusted using the Report Designer.


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Figure 5: FileSettingsCaptions

6.2 Start report

By choosing the menu item FileStart reportor pressing F8, you can determine the page

number on which the next report you want to print will start. This is helpful when there are

several reports to be compiled, i. e. you want to combine them into one report with succes-sive page numbers.

6.3 Log info

During a ProLab Plus session the following information is saved:

- Time of log in and log out

- User name

- Imported data

- Test results that have been changed

- Protocol of calculation of ring test parameters

- Protocol of calculation of scores.


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To access this information please choose Log info from the Filemenu. To open the report

preview containing the information from all ProLab Plus sessions use the Reportbutton.

Figure 6: FileLog info

6.4 New database

Via File New databasea new and empty database can be generated automatically in a

new directory. This might be appropriate when different ring tests should be saved in differ-

ent databases. Generally, saving ring tests in one and the same database might be reasona-

ble, e.g. for an analysis spanning several ring tests; however, too many ring tests in the

same database may slow down the program noticeably.

After selecting a directory from the list or entering a name for a new directory in the edit win-

dow, the structures of the tables in the current database are copied to the target directory.

WARNING: Existing tables in the target directory will be overwritten whereby any data con-

tained in these tables will be lost.

6.5 Change database

It is possible to change database directories, that is to say, to transfer a database with all the

data relative to a ring test from one directory to another. Make sure that the new database di-

rectory contains all required tables, otherwise your work may be compromised. This is bestachieved by using the Backup filecommand or by copying the database directory outside of


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ProLab Plus.

6.6 Backup file

This command allows backing up the entire database (all tables) in a compressed file and

recovering it again from this file if necessary. LHARC is used as compression format. For

saving your data, select a target folder and enter a file name.

When quitting ProLab Plus you will be asked whether you want to create a backup copy of

your database. Additionally, you can manually backup the database to a folder of your

choosing by using the following tab.

Figure 7: FileBackup file (Backup of database Demo)

6.6.1 Restor e from file

In this window, all backup files that have been created so far (and still exist) are listed. In or-

der to restore one of them, simply select it from the list and click the button Restore from file.

Alternatively you can choose Select filein the first row of the table and specify the LZH file

you want to restore.

WARNING: Any existing data will be overwritten and thereby lost.

If you want to restore a database without overwriting existing data and tables, please create

a new database as described in section6.4 before restoring.

6.6.2 Store database to fi le

In order to create a backup of your database, you have to select a target file first. Normally

that will be a new file, which can be created via the first row Select fileAlternatively an ex-isting file from the list can be chosen. To start the process simply click Store database to file.

Please note that any existing data will be overwritten and thereby lost.

6.6.3 Adv ice for long -term storage

Although there are several programs of other developers or Open Source communities which

can open LZH files and/or the contained Advantage Database System files, this binary for-

mat may not be the best choice for long-term storage of ring test data. It is recommended in-

stead to export plain-text CSV files additionally (please refer to chapter7.11.1).


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7 Database menu

7.1 Ring test selection

Please refer to chapter5.1, Putting ring tests in edit mode.

7.2 Basic tables

A ring test is defined by the samples, the measurands and the laboratories. Therefore, the

tables for the ring tests, samples, measurands and laboratories constitute the foundation of

the database. The basic tables can be reached via DatabaseBasic tables. In these tables,

all the information on samples, measurands and laboratories is entered, but no allocation (

e.g. e.g. which measurand is analysed by which laboratory on which sample) is carried out

yet.

7.2.1 How to wor k with the tables

The data tables offer a powerful tool for working with the database. The data can be sorted

and grouped in several ways, fields can be added and removed and whole tables or selec-

tions can be saved in different formats.

In the following, several possibilities for working with the tables are described. However, it

must be noted that not all commands are available in all tables.

The most important buttons are

Save Save changes

Cancel Cancel editingAdd Add new data

Delete Delete selected data

New data ( e.g. ring tests or samples) can also be added by clicking into the first row of the

respective table.

Please note that the names of the ring tests, the measurands, the samples and the laborato-

ries are unique identification labels. Therefore they should not be changed later on. Name

must only contain capital letters and numeric characters. Description can be filled and/or

changed later. If the Descriptionfield is left empty, Namewill be entered automatically.

When clicking with the right mouse button onto the column headers, a pop-up menu openswithin which the available commands are in dark letters (seeFigure 8). These commands will

be explained in more detail in the following:

Reset table settings

All changes in the appearance of the table can be undone by choosing Reset table settings

from the pop-up menu. You get there by a right click with the mouse onto any column head-

er.


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Sorting

The tables can be sorted in ascending or descending order (with respect to a selected col-

umn) either

- by left-clicking in the respective column header or

- by selecting the commands from the following pop-up menu, which opens by right-clicking into a column header.

Figure 8: Pop-up menu after right mouse button click into column header

Add and remove columns, adjust order

The order of the columns can be changed by drag & drop: simply click in a column header

and by keeping the mouse button pressed move the column to the desired position.

Unnecessary columns may be hidden by deselecting the respective column from the list that

can be reached via the button Visible columns. A column may also be removed by clicking in

the header and selecting Remove This Columnfrom the pop-up menu. If formerly removed

columns or further columns should be added to the table, simply select the column from the

list under Visible columnsor select the Field Chooserfrom the pop-up menu. From the field

chooser, a column can be moved to the table by drag and drop.

In order to add or remove several columns at once, right-click anywhere inside the table (notin the headers) and select Select columnsfrom the pop-up menu while keeping the Shift key

pressed.

The column width can be adapted manually by moving the separators of a column. The best

fit, i. e. the column width that enables to see the whole content of the column without wasting

too much space, can be obtained by double clicking on a separator or by choosing Best Fit

from the pop-up menu. An optimal width of all columns can be obtained via the command

Best Fit (all columns)from the pop-up menu.

Grouping

A table can be grouped with respect to column entries and will thereby be divided into sub-tables. Grouping can be done by marking the desired column and selecting Group By This


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Fieldfrom the pop-up menu. After selecting this command, a dark grey box will appear above

the table indicating the column according to which the grouping is carried out. A further pos-

sibility for grouping is to select the command Group By Boxfrom the pop-up menu. The dark

grey box then appears without any column header name. Now the column according to

which the grouping should be carried out can be moved to the dark grey box via drag and

drop.

In , the table grouping of measurands with regard to the column Category 2 is shown. As

there are three entries in the Category 2 column, the grouped table now consists of three

sub-tables, one for light metals, one for heavy metals and one for gasses. These sub-tables

can be opened or closed via the + / - buttons.

Of course, a table can be grouped several times in succession. Thereby more and more sub-

tables are generated. This grouping can be done again either by successively marking col-

umn headers and selecting the command Group By This Field from the pop-up menu or by

selecting the command Group By Boxonce and then successively dragging fields to the grey

box above the table.In both cases, the hierarchy of the grouping will be shown in the dark grey box.

Figure 9: Basic table of measurands grouped by Category 2

Column width

Using the menu option Best Fit,the width of the columns will be adjusted according to the

content. To adjust all columns at once the shortcut Ctrl + Addition (on the numerical key-

board) can be used.


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Copy

Whole tables or selection thereof can be copied to the clipboard and, e.g., inserted into an

Excel table. For this purpose use the right mouse button within the table (not in the headers).

Then a pop-up menu will be displayed where you can select Copy tableor Copy selection.

With the first command, the whole table is copied. With the second command, only the row inwhich has been clicked is copied, along with the column header.

Figure 10: Pop-up menu after right mouse button click into table

Save

All tables can be saved in different formats: text file, Excel file, XML file or HTML file. The ta-

ble can be saved as a PDF or RTF file from within the report preview. For this purpose use

the right mouse button within the table (not in the headers). Then a pop-up menu will be dis-played where you can select the desired saving format.

The information of a grouped table is always completely saved independently of the way it

has been displayed in ProLab Plus, i. e. the information of sub-tables closed in ProLab Plus

will be saved as well. Of course, the grouping is saved, too.

Search text

After clicking this menu item, a search bar will be shown. That bar can be opened by using

the shortcut Ctrl + F alternatively. To close the bar, click on the cross on the left side or use

the Esc key.

Select columns

This option opens a list with all columns that can be shown. There are three different types of

lists:

1. In most windows, the default setting leads to a list with check boxes, which makes

possible a swift selection of columns to show or hide.

2. If you decide to change the visibility of more than one column at once, hold the Shift

key down while clicking on the menu option Select columns.. A window appears inwhich you can show or hide all columns by using the keys >> or


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ble to show or hide single columns in this window. Some tables only offer this win-

dow.

The third window can be reached by a right mouse click into a column header and se-

lecting Field Chooser in the opening pop-up menu. The usage of that window is de-

scribed above.


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7.2.2 Ring tests

The parent data for ring tests can be edited (entered, changed, deleted) in the Database

Basic Tablesdialogue box on the Ring tests page. The list comprises all open ring tests, i. e.

all ring tests that are opened in the Editmode (see section5).

Figure 11: DatabaseBasic TablesRing tests

Namestands for the abbreviated name of the respective ring test. In the database it is usual-

ly referred to as RName. To add a new ring test, either click in the box Add ring testor click

on . Enter the name of the ring test (Name) and, if necessary, the Description,the Date of

analysis, Report date, Cut-off date(unofficial deadline), Designand the number of Replicates

in the respective cells of the table. Name mayonly contain up to eight capital letters and nu-merics.

For every ring test, a design can be selected from the scroll-down box, though this is not

mandatory:

- Select single measurementif only one test result will be reported for every laboratory-

sample-measurand combination.

- Select with replicatesand enter the number of replicate measurement values for every

laboratory-sample-measurand combination in the pop-up window. The number of repli-

cates can be changed later if necessary. This will be used as default setting for the ex-

port of laboratory files (7.11.2)and in the window for the input of test results. The com-

putation of means and standard deviations however is not affected by that setting, asthe number of actually available measurements is independently determined for these

functions..

- Select Nested designif you would like to work with a ring test design where e.g. two

measurement values belong to one day and two values belong to another day (see

ISO 5725-3).

The selection of the design will affect the window for entering the test results, however the

design can always be changed again later, if need be. If no design is selected, the number of

replicates can be defined later on, in the test results window.

Further information (e.g. year, organizer) regarding the ring test can be entered in the fieldGroup. This may be helpful for a later grouping of the ring tests.


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Warning: If you delete a ring test, please note that this operation will also delete any data in

other tables that refer to this ring test ( e.g. samples, ring test-sample-measurand combina-

tions, test results, lab codes). It does not delete measurand and laboratory data in the basic

tables.

7.2.3 Samples

To enter a new sample or change information regarding existing samples, please select the

tab Samples in the dialogue boxDatabaseBasic Tables.

After selecting the corresponding ring test, a sample can be added either by clicking in the

boxAdd sampleor on the button. Afterwards Nameand Descriptioncan be entered in the

corresponding fields. The name of the sample (in the database referred to as SName or

PName) is a unique identification, therefore it should not be changed later on. Namemust

only contain capital letters and numerics.

Figure 12: DatabaseBasic TablesSamples

For an easier selection of samples in the calculations, two categories are available under

which distinguishing features of the samples can be entered. The button Sorting opens a

new window, where the samples can be sorted by drag & drop or according to defined fields.

Please be aware that changes can only be made if the ring test is opened in the Editmode.

Entering a new sample requires the existence of a ring test, as samples (other than measur-

ands or laboratories) are always subordinated to a ring test.


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Warning: Please note that deleting a sample will also delete any data in other tables that re-

fer to this sample ( e.g. ring test-sample-measurand combinations, test results, test portion

codes). Deleting a sample does not however delete ring tests, measurands or laboratory da-

ta in the basic tables.

7.2.4 Measurands

The parent data for measured measurands can be edited (entered, changed, deleted) in the

DatabaseBasic Tablesdialogue box on the Measurandstab. Changes are only possible, if

the corresponding ring test is opened in the Editmode. If the ring test is opened in the Read

mode, the measurand data can be read, but not changed.

To add a measurand, either click in the box Add measurand or click on . The table of

measurands is independent from the ring test and the sample. The necessary allocation will

be carried out later.

In the form you can enter the name of the measurand (Namein the database referred to as

MName), the description of the measurand and if desired further distinguishing features

under two categories and the number format for the test results. The restriction of using only

capital letters and numerics for Nameapplies here as well.

If you want to change the order in which measurands appear elsewhere in ProLab, please

click the Sortingbutton. A pop-up window will appear where you can choose how the meas-

urands should be sorted: by name, description or category (or manually via drag and drop).

Figure 13: DatabaseBasic TablesMeasurands

Warning: Please note that deleting a measurand will also delete any data in other tables that

refer to this measurand ( e.g. ring test-sample-measurand combinations, test results). Delet-

ing a measurand does not however delete ring tests, samples or laboratory data in the basictables.


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7.2.5 Laboratories

The parent data for laboratories can be edited (entered, changed, deleted) in the Database

Basic Tablesdialogue box on the tab Labs as Table. To add a laboratory click in the boxAdd

laboratoryor on the button in the lower part of the window.

The table of laboratories is independent from the ring test and the sample. The necessary al-location will be carried out later. Changes are only possible if the respective ring test is

opened in the Editmode. If the ring test is opened in the Readmode, the laboratory data can

be read, but not changed.

You can enter the name of the laboratory, a description, the address and if desired fur-

ther information such as contact person, email address, telephone numbers etc. Email ad-

dresses and contact persons are of special importance if you want to use the email merge

module of ProLab Plus (see also section7.11.4). More than one address can be specified by

using spaces or semicolons as delimiters. Furthermore, up to two categories can be speci-

fied for each laboratory that allows for a later selection of sub-groups of laboratories.

Please note, that for Nameonly capital letters and numerics are allowed. If the Description

field is left empty or contains only space characters, the laboratory name will be entered au-

tomatically, since different reports and graphics use the description to specify the laboratory.

To show a tabular summary of all laboratories click the Reportbutton.

Figure 14: DatabaseBasic TablesLabs as Table

Displaying all information on a laboratory in a table often leads to a confusingly high number

of columns that can hardly be displayed at once. Therefore, on the tab Labs as Cardsthere

is also the option to show all laboratory information as business cards.


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Figure 15: DatabaseBasic TablesLabs as Cards

As the address structure varies from one country to another, it is possible to enter all address

information in the additional fields Additional 1 to Additional 6 instead of the fields Street, ZIP

and City. This offers the possibility to create, for example, address labels with the correctly

arranged address. Thus (see alsoTable 1), for a German address the additional name of the

laboratory could be entered in the field Additional1, the street with number in Additional 2

and the postal code and city inAdditional 3. For the UK the additional name of the laboratory

could be entered again in the field Additional 1, the street with number in Additional 2, the

city inAdditional 3, the county inAdditional 4and the postal code inAdditional 5.

Germany USA UK

short name of lab

1 additional name

2 Street + No

3 ZIP City

Country

short name of lab

1 additional name

2 No + Street

3 City State/ZIP

Country

short name of lab

1 additional name

2 No + Street

3 City

4 County

5 ZIP

Country

Table 1: Examples of addresses

Warning: You may delete laboratories, but please note that this operation will also delete any

data in other tables that refer to this laboratory ( e.g. ring test-sample-measurand combina-

tions, test results, lab codes). Deleting laboratories does not however delete ring tests, sam-

ples or measurands in the basic tables.

7.3 Structure of ring test

After the basic tables have been filled, it still has to be determined which samples were ana-lysed by which laboratories with respect to which measurands. Hence it is necessary to as-


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sign the investigated measurands to the samples and the laboratories to the respective sam-

ple-measurand combinations.

Therefore select the command Structure of ring testin the menu Databaseor the buttons:

for the laboratory allocation

for the sample-measurand allocation

for the sample-measurand-laboratory allocation.

7.3.1 Labo rator y allocatio n

In the window Laboratory allocationall laboratories that take part in the ring test can be se-

lected.

In order to assign a laboratory to the ring test, double click into the column that is indicated

by a lighter background colour. If there are more ring tests in the database, they are shown

as well, so you can compare with previously organised ring tests. The current ring test is al-

ways shown in the first column and indicated by a lighter background. All remaining ring tests

follow in chronological order. By selecting rectangular sections of the column you can easily

choose several laboratories at once and either assign them to the ring test by clicking on the

button Include selected laboratories or delete them by clicking on Exclude selected laborato-

ries. If you want to allocate all laboratories to the ring test, simply click on Include all labora-

tories.

Warning: Please note that deleting the allocations of laboratories will also delete the corre-sponding test results!


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Figure 16: DatabaseStructure of ring testLaboratory allocation

By marking the checkbox Participating laboratories first, the laboratories that participate in

the corresponding ring test are listed first followed by the laboratories (if applicable) that do

not participate.

The table can be sorted by name, description or category by clicking in the respective co-

lumn headers.

A list of all participating laboratories can be displayed by clicking on the Reportbutton.

You can select the columns to be displayed, define the width of the columns and copy parts

or the whole table to the clipboard for further use, e.g. in Excel, with a right mouse button

click into the table.

7.3.2 Samp le-measurand allocatio n

Select the menu DatabaseStructure of ring testSample-measurand allocation to specify

which samples have been or will be analysed with respect to which measurands.

To assign a measurand to a sample, check the corresponding cell by double-clicking. By se-

lecting rectangular sections of the table you can easily choose several measurands at once

and either assign them to samples by clicking on the button Include selected combinations or

delete them by clicking on Exclude selected combinations. If you want to allocate all measur-

ands to all samples, simply click on Include all combinations.

The current assignment table can be viewed as a report by clicking on the Report button.You can select the columns to be displayed and define the width of the columns with a right


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mouse button click in the table. Furthermore, the whole table or sections of it can be copied

to the clipboard and pasted to e.g. Excel.

Warning: Please note that deleting the assignments of measurands will also delete the cor-

responding test results!

Figure 17: DatabaseStructure of ring testSample-measurand allocation

7.3.3 Samp le-measurand -laborato ry allocatio n

Select the menu DatabaseStructure of ring testSample-measurand-laboratory allocation

to assign samples and measurands to the laboratories of the ring test.


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Figure 18: DatabaseStructure of ring testSample-measurand-laboratory allocation (per sample)

You can now determine which samples are sent to which laboratories to investigate which

measurands. This can be accomplished by assigning laboratories one sample at a time, one

measurand at a time, for all measurands, or for all samples. The default setting when open-

ing the window isper sample(i. e. one sample at a time).

If you choose one of the options per sampleor per measurand, simply select the sample or

the measurand from the table on the right side and assign the laboratories to each measur-

and or sample by double-clicking in the respective cell. By selecting rectangular sections of

the table you can easily choose several samples or measurands at once and either assign

them to laboratories by clicking on the button Include selected combinations or delete them

by clicking on Exclude selected combinations. If you want to allocate all samples or all

measurands to all laboratories, simply click on Include all combinations.

It is also possible to assign laboratories to all measurands or all samples. If you choose

across all measurands,any specifications will refer to all measurands, i. e. they will apply to

all measurands that have been assigned to the particular sample under consideration.

If a laboratory does not analyse a certain sample, there will be no entry in the corresponding

field.

If only some of the measurands have been assigned to a laboratory (through the sample un-

der consideration), the symbol %will be displayed in the field.


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If all measurands have been assigned to a laboratory (through the sample under considera-

tion), anXwill be displayed in the field.

You can create new assignments or delete existing ones. Any such changes will, however,

from now on affect all measurands that have been assigned to the sample in question.

Figure 19: DatabaseStructure of ring testSample-measurand-laboratory combinations (across all

samples)

By selecting rectangular sections of the table you can easily choose several samples at once

and either assign the combination of these samples and all measurands to laboratories by

clicking on the button Include selected combinations or delete them by clicking on Exclude

selected combinations. If you want to allocate all combinations of samples and measurands

to all laboratories, simply click on Include all combinations.

If you choose across all samples, any specifications will refer to all samples, i. e. they will

apply to all samples that have been assigned to the respective measurand. Again the sym-

bols %andXare used to indicate that only some of the samples have been assigned to the

respective laboratory or that all samples have been assigned, respectively.

You can select the columns to be displayed and define the width of the columns with a right

mouse button click in the table. Moreover, the whole table or sections of it can be copied to

the clipboard and pasted to e.g. e.g. Excel.

The sample-measurand-laboratory combinations can be displayed as a report by clicking on


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the Reportbutton.

Warning: Please note that deleting laboratory assignments will also delete the corresponding

test results!

7.4 Encoding

If the identity of the laboratory must not be revealed, the laboratory name must not appear in

the evaluation reports and has to be encoded in a suitable way. Apart from encoding the la-

boratories you can also encode the samples. This is useful if it is suspected that the laborato-

ries may exchange their analytical results.

7.4.1 Encod ing laboratories

All test results contained in the database are registered under an addressconsisting of the

four components ring test, sample, measurand and laboratory. To make sure that all data

can be correctly attributed at any time, this address must not change3, i. e. the particular la-

boratory always has to be indicated by LName. If, however, the identity of the laboratory

should not be revealed, LNamemust not appear in the evaluation reports and has to be en-

coded in a suitable way. The encoding can be done via DatabaseEncodingLaboratories

or by clicking onto the button in the main menu.

Any code can be entered in the Codefield or laboratory codes can be generated automati-

cally by clicking onto this button . Existing codes are thereby deleted irrevocably. Please

note that the encoding only applies to the currently selected ring test.

3

This means that, for example, in order to execute an evaluation over various ring tests, a physical laboratoryshould have the same value for LName in each ring test. If you change LName in the basic tables the allocation

will not be disturbed, as LName will be changed for all ring tests and all secondary windows.


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Figure 20: DatabaseEncodingLaboratories

7.4.2 Encod e test port ion s

Apart from encoding the laboratories you can also encode the test portions. This is useful if it

is suspected that the laboratories may exchange their analytical results. You can get to the

encoding via DatabaseEncoding Test portionsor by clicking the button in the main

menu. Test portion codes are composed of up to 8 alphanumeric characters without special

characters and spaces.

Therefore the following notations are introduced: Sampledenotes different kinds of samples

as water sample or soil sample. From each sample, test portionsare produced which will be

sent to the laboratories or used for the homogeneity analysis.

Encoding can be performed

- manually

- automatically, without homogeneity test portions

- automatically, taking into account the homogeneity test portions (see section8.2)

Manual encoding

In order to encode the test portions an existing ring test structure is essential, i. e. data for

every sample-measurand-laboratory combination of the current ring test must exist. A code

can be assigned to each laboratory-sample combination. To encode the test portions unam-

biguously, any combination of test portion code and LNamemust exist only once. A violationof this rule will prompt an Index Error, which can be adjusted by assigning a new code to the


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test portion. Please note that same samples in different laboratories may have same test por-

tion codes.

Example:

SName LName Test portion code

Soil2 L01 Sample2 ok

Soil2 L02 Sample2 ok, because Sample2 differs in LName

Soil3 L02 Sample2 invalid, because Sample2 has already

been assigned to Soil2/L02

The test portion codes are entered via a matrix having the samples as columns and the la-

boratories as rows. In case of an invalid entry, an error message will be displayed upon leav-

ing the edited field and the original value will be restored.

Automatic encoding

For convenience, the test portion codes can be generated automatically. First define the

number of test portions that will be generated per sample. If there are as many test portions

as participating laboratories, simply enter the number of laboratories. If there are more test

portions generated than participating laboratories ( e.g. if a homogeneity and/or stability test

is planned or if the remaining test portions will serve as reference material after the ring test),

simply enter the total number of test portions that are generated. By clicking on the button

, test portions of every sample are randomly assigned to each participating laboratory, and

a unique four-digit code is generated for every sample-laboratory combination. If you require

the test portion codes to be greater than a certain minimum value, enter this desired mini-

mum value in the field First value for test portion code.

If the number of test portions per sample is less than the number of participating laboratories

(which should be the minimum number of test portions to generate), ProLab Plus generates

the codes on the basis of this minimum number.

If a homogeneity test is carried out, the respective test portions can be encoded by means of

the tab Homogeneity test portion encoding or later on under the menu item Homogenei-

ty/Stability.

If originally no homogeneity test portions were included in the number of test portions per

sample, but homogeneity and/or stability test portions are nevertheless needed, it is recom-

mended to enter the corrected total number of test portions per sample (i. e. the number of

test portions for the laboratories + the number of test portions for the homogeneity test + the

number of test portions for the stability test) and repeat the encoding of the test portions for

the laboratories in order to ensure a random ordering of all test portions.

In the rows Prefixund Suffixadditional tokens can be entered, that will precede the code or

be attached to the end of the code, respectively.


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Figure 21: DatabaseEncodingTest portions

Additionally there is the possibility to display a table with the test portion codes as a report

and to print labels with laboratory and sample specifications and optionally a barcode (where

ring test name, lab code and test portion code are coded). In order to do this, the label forms

in FileSettingsReports75 Label / 77 Label with barcode must be adapted to the re-

quired label format.

Figure 22: Label for test portions with and without barcode

7.5 Participating labs and data yet to be submitted

In the menu DatabaseParticipating labs and data yet to be submittedthe following infor-

mation is stored automatically or can be entered manually:

- Date of sample arrival in laboratories- Date of measurements


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- Date of the ring test organisers receipt of test results (reporting date)

- Date of importing test results in ProLab

- Persons involved

- Comments.

Figure 23: DatabaseParticipating labs and data yet to be submitted

All information can be viewed for the currently opened ring test or all ring tests that have

been made accessible (see section5). Select Current ringtestonlyorAll unlocked ring tests.

If all that is required is an overview of the laboratories for which no test results have been

imported, check Only laboratories with data yet to be submitted.

A report with an overview can be generated listing either all laboratories or only those labora-

tories with results yet to have been received or imported.

7.6 Characteristics of measurands

After the ring test structure has been defined, the Characteristics of measurands dialogue

box allows further specification of the measurands analysed in the ring test. Reference val-

ues, reference standard deviations, measurement units and appertaining multiplication fac-

tors can be entered. Additionally two fields Rel. s.d. min and Rel. s.d. maxfor minimum or

maximum values of the relative standard deviations (in %) are available. In mode L = lim-

ited (see section10.2.3)these values for the relative standard deviations will be used in the

assessment of the laboratories.

Using the button all valuesexcept for the reference value and reference s.d.are as-

signed to the selected measurand in all samples of the ring test. Using the button all

valuesexcept for the reference value and reference s.d. are assigned to all measurands

of the current sample. Using the button all valuesexcept for the reference value and


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reference s.d.are assigned to all measurands in all samples of the ring test.

Figure 24: DatabaseCharacteristics of measurands

If the database already contains units, they can simply be selected from the scroll-down

menu. The multiplicator, if included in the database, will automatically be selected by ProLabPlus. New units must always be created via the window Characteristics of measurands.

Please click the button next to the Unitfield to open the Unitswindow. In the table, the

new unit with its corresponding multiplicator can be entered. Please make sure to always

leave one empty unit, so the declaration of a unit can be suppressed if necessary.

The multiplication factor (multiplicator) is the factor, by which the test results have to be mul-

tiplied to obtain the concentration values. The multiplication factor for the measurement unit

g/kg, for instance, is 10-9 = 1E-9, the multiplication factor for the measurement unit % is

10-2 = 1E-2. The entry of this multiplication factor is indispensable to guarantee the correct

calculation of the standard deviation according to Horwitz.


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Figure 25: DatabaseCharacteristics of measurandsUnits

7.7 Test results

To enter the test results, open the Test resultsdialogue box from the Databasemenu. You

can choose between entering the test results in a detailed form or in a table.

Depending on the ring test design that was selected under DatabaseBasic tables Ring

teststhe corresponding number of fields for entering test results is shown.

If no specific design was defined, the number of replicates can be manually determined in

the present window. The field Show test results makes it possible todefine the number of

replicates (1 to 32) and, accordingly, the number of input fields for the test results.

If the ring test is of nested design the corresponding specific order of the test results must be

respected. For example, if for three different days two measurement values are available, the

design should be nested 3 x 2. There is a maximum of six test results per laboratory, the first

two belong to day 1, test results 3 and 4 to day 2 and test results 5 and 6 to day 3. The test

results need to be entered in this order.

Besides the fields for the test results, there are Statefields as well. You can choose between

the following entries in these fields

NN = not detectable,

NB = not determinable,

GL = greater than (Greater Limit),NA = not available

These can be used for the assessment of a laboratory. However, a State entry is not re-

quired, even when there are no test results available.


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Figure 26: DatabaseTest resultsDetailed form

In the detailed form, the following shortcuts have been implemented, for the sake of conven-

ience:

[Ctrl]+ [P] previous sample [Alt] + [P] next sample

[Ctrl]+ [M] previous measurand [Alt] + [M] next measurand

[Ctrl]+ [L] previous laboratory [Alt] + [L] next laboratory

Apart from the test results, the limit of detection, the limit of determination, the upper limit of

the measuring range, the measurement uncertainty and the sample preparation and analyti-

cal method can be entered as well. In order to assign the sample preparation and/or analyti-

cal method for the measurements, they must have been defined beforehand. This is carriedout under DatabaseDefinition of analytical methods and sample preparations(see section

7.9).

In the detailed form, additional information on the measurands ( e.g. Unit, multiplicator,) as

entered under Characteristics of measurands (see section 7.6)are also shown. This infor-

mation can be changed, but please be aware that these changes are specific to the measur-

and and will affect the test results of all laboratories.

Click to get to the table view. The fields for the test results are named M 1, M 2, , and

the fields for state entries are named S 1, S 2,by default.

In order to adjust the layout to your needs, you can click the option Visible columns.


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Figure 27: DatabaseTest resultsTable view

In the status bar at the bottom edge of the ProLab window, the description of the current la-

boratory, that of the sample and, if applicable, the test portion code are shown at all times.

7.8 Creation of corrected measurands

With ProLab Plus, it is possible to correct the measurement values and to generate a new

measurand (the old ones will not be overwritten) in the three following ways:

valuecorrectionmeasurand3.

value)correction(100

100measurand2.

valuecorrection

100measurand1.

The correction value may either be an already existing measurand or a constant that has to

be entered manually.


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Figure 28: DatabaseCreation of corrected measurands

Enter a name for the new, corrected measurand and click on the Startbutton to generate the

new measurand. A pop-up window will appear where you can enter a description of the new

measurand. After saving this description, a second pop-up window will appear where the

characteristics of the new measurand, such as unit, multiplicator, reference value, s.d., andminimum/maximum rel. s.d. can be entered.

Figure 29: Pop-up windows after generating a new, corrected measurand

7.9 Analytical methods and sample preparations

Data on the sample preparation (SP) and the analytical method (AM) can be entered in the

database in case the influences of SP and AM are to be included in special statistical evalua-

tions. Under DatabaseDefinition of analytical methods and sample preparations all possi-

ble methods can be entered in two tables. An allocation to the actual measurements is car-

ried out when entering the test results (see section7.7).


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Both tables allow entry of a code (ID, only numbers are allowed), an abbreviation (Name,

used in the Summary results chart) and a full name (Description).

When defining new methods, click in the first row of the table and enter the corresponding

data. ProLab Plus will automatically provide missing entries, so it is sufficient to enter, for in-

stance, only the description.

To generate a printable overview, click the Reportbutton above the table; with a right mouse

click into the table, other available exportation means can be accessed.

Figure 30: DatabaseDefinition of analytical methods and sample preparationsAnalytical methods


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Figure 32: DatabaseExportCSV files

If only the selected data records should be exported, check Showselected data only. This

will reduce the number of lines in the exported file. (Of course, the desired fields need to be

selected.)

The following data are always exported: ring test name (RName), sample name

(SName = PName), measurand name (MName) and laboratory name (LName).

IfAll fields (columns)is checked, all information of the ring test(s) will be exported. If it is not

checked, fields such as laboratory mean (M), laboratory standard deviation (s.d.), Score, the

quantification limit (QL), detection limit (DL), the upper limit (GL), outlier values, additionalcomments, sample preparation (SP), analytical method (AM), measurement unit, laboratory

and test portion codes, measurement uncertainty (MU) and recovery rate can be selected. If

the measurement results and corresponding state fields of the ring test should be exported

as well, click the button Measured valuesto specify which of the results should be export-

ed.


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Figure 33: Selection of measured values to be exported

After making your selection, click on the button Export to start the data export. A dialogue

box will appear, and you will be asked to enter the path and name of the export file.

The file generated by ProLab Plus can be imported into EXCEL in the CSV format. By de-

fault, the semicolon is used as column (field) separator so that the exported test result table

can easily be re-imported into ProLab Plus. For other applications it might be more appro-

priate to choose another field separator character from the list on the left of the export button.

7.11.2 Labor atory fi les

To avoid a laborious and therefore error-prone manual input of the laboratorial data, ProLab

Plus provides a function for automatic data transfer via CD or email (using appropriate secu-

rity tools) between the participants and the organizer.

In order to prepare the data transfer, specific files can be created using the menu Database

ExportLaboratory files (for RingDat). These are then filled in by the participating laborato-

ries with the help of a special program called RINGDAT3. The data set for each laboratory

contains a FILENAME.LA2 file and a FILENAME.LAB file. The latter is an ASCII file with the

columns sample name (SName) / test portion code (SCode), Measurand name (MName)

and measurement unit. The columns containing the individual test res

PROLab Plus Manual

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