Abstract
Geochemistry is a fruitful field for the application of statistical methods, which provide the best techniques for handling the large quantities of data appearing in the literature. The three basic geochemical procedures—sampling, analyzing and comparing results—are governed by statistical theory. Each is reviewed in the text. Analysis by spectrographic methods is best considered as a problem in linear regression theory; the necessary procedure and reesults are described in terms of the analysis of shales for gallium. Results are best compared by the use of discrimination tests and confidence intervals. Several examples are given to illustrate the methods. It is shown how this procedure establishes clear and valid differences in composition, which appear small and perhaps insignificant at first sight.
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