Some remarks on the quantitative expression of the selectivity of an analytical procedure

The selectivity of an analytical method may be defined as expressing the degree to which a component can be determined in the presence of other but similarly behaving components without interference. The method itself will usually serve for determination of the other components, under slightly different conditions. The selectivity is closely related to the resolution of the method and also to the resolution of the instrument used for obtaining the signals. A simple formula is suggested for expressing the percentual degree of selectivity of an analytical procedure, on the basis of signal overlap caused by the interfering components, and can be used quite generally. A distinction is made between the terms analytical selectivity and selectivity of an analytical procedure, and between selectivity and specificity.