Some analytical chemists, especially those who work in certain industries, will be involved in an analytical procedure from beginning to end. Others will specialize in developing improvements in just one step of the overall procedure outlined above. For example, many analytical chemists concentrate on developing improved separation methods for step 2 or measurement procedures for step 3. The primary goals of modern analytical chemistry are to develop new and improved methods for detecting and quantitating analytes which are present at lower levels, to develop more selective analytical methods and to extend analytical methodology to more complex samples and to larger molecules. The first of these goals has to do with method sensitivity.
More sensitive methods can detect analytes at lower levels.
The goal of all analytical methods is to be specific for a single analyte. In practice, this objective is seldom met, especially with more complex samples. The last goal is a reflection of where the field of chemistry is heading as we move into the next century. Progress in this field requires analytical tools which can be reliably applied to larger and larger molecules. A second major thrust driving analytical chemistry is concern over the environment.