This instalment of "GC Connections" discusses factors that can help determine which type of liquid injection technique is appropriate for specific samples, including having to use existing inlet systems that are on-hand in the laboratory with samples for which they might not be ideally suited.

Modern gas chromatography (GC) capillary columns are rugged and forgiving but some care should be taken when handling and using these high-efficiency columns. In this instalment of "Column Watch", the authors discuss the issues surrounding avoiding column breakage, stationary phase damage and column contamination. Prolonging the life of a column by keeping an oxygen-free system, providing a cleaner sample and not exceeding the upper temperature limit of the stationary phase are highlighted in this practical discussion.

The accuracy and precision of results in gas chromatography and other analytical techniques are highly dependent upon the sample and its preparation, the instrumentation, accessories and operating conditions, as well as operator skill and experience. For these reasons, accuracy and precision for a specific methodology can be expected to vary from one laboratory or operator to another. This month, we look at statistical analysis as a diagnostic tool.