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Analytical data acquisition has changed a great deal over the last decades due to progress in computer performance and innovations. The lateral resolution of a SEM, for example, has improved drastically. Sharp pictures without distortion on the nm scale are now available. The main aim of the instrument suppliers is to make data acquisition more convenient and faster. An “easy to use” desktop interface based on standard computer desktop features makes the work much easier and makes people believe that even inexperienced employees are able to perform an analysis. That is wishful thinking. Through modern instrumentation the work seems to be easier, but it also makes it easier to produce wrong results. Besides the skills needed for operating the instrument, a deep understanding of the processes happening during the analytical process is needed to separate artefacts from data. At the very least, the data should be reviewed by an experienced analyst. Another aspect is time. A good analysis needs a certain time frame. To improve the results and get the best information, it is sometimes necessary to repeat the measurements a few times.

As to the saying “Grass won’t grow faster if you pull it!”, samples deserve to be treated thoroughly so that the best results will be obtained. In contrast to the tendency to do everything faster, efficiency is not counted in minutes or hours, when it comes to analytical data acquisition. Further methodical details of the measurements will be presented in Part IV of this book.