There is sampling … and there is sampling
DOI: 10.62178/sst.005.001
As an erstwhile geology student, the editor first encountered a famous expression: “There are granites … and there are granites”, meaning that granites originate from more than one geologic process as it was thought at that time, more than 50 years ago. It has later transpired that this may not be so, after all - scientific progress!
Fast forward: There is sampling - in the ‘classic’ Theory of Sampling (TOS) context, i.e., physical sampling of heterogeneous particulate and aggregate materials, mixtures, processes, slurries including sampling by proxy, e.g., process sampling using sensor technology (‘Process Analytical Technology, PAT’), which accomplishes the same purpose ‘sampling for analysis’ without extracting physical samples from a process stream. The previous issue of SST#4 was fully dedicated to PAT.
… and then there is sampling, different from the above. What could this be? Here are few suggestions:
- Theoretically augmented sampling process comparison (– is TOS not enough?)
- Physically exotic sampling processes (developing new sampling avenues)
- Sampling of unusual or exotic materials, not normally considered traditional TOS targets (lots)
- Sampling under unusual conditions or using special sampling procedures and equipment
In this issue of SST, almost anything goes so long it is not (too) traditional, (too) main stream, or (too much) more-of-the-same …
The theme for this issue has been out on solicitation for a long time. This issue is crammed with examples and case histories of … sampling:
- Let’s take a broader view of the way TOS can be augmented (article 1)
- Be enchanted by the out-of-this-world story of how one man singularly developed, and popularised (in the best meaning of the word), the distinctly non-traditional sampling necessary for addressing a new scientific niche area: Micrometeorites (2)
- Let’s assess an evaluation of a new highly praised analytical approach – Photon Assay (3,4) vs. a rebuttal and comprehensive justification (5,6)
- Let’s be excited by what surely is the world’s simplest equipment: the ALOHA sampler (7)
- Read the raw & revealing account of missed sampling considerations, sometimes even misused by bad actors in our midst (8)
- Let’s review a massive 4th edition of the sampling community’s grandest textbook (9)
It has been a distinct pleasure to solicit and curate the present collection of contributions to this issue, for which the editorial office is rightly proud.
This issue concludes the inaugural first 18 months given for this publication to demonstrate a transition from a magazine to a peer-reviewed scientific journal (see editorial in issue no. 1). We hope readers will agree. It is time to make a strong call for considering to publish in SST.
Published in Issue 5 · June 2026
Citing this article
Esbensen, K. H. (2026). There is sampling … and there is sampling. Sampling Science & Technology, June 2026(5), 1. https://doi.org/10.62178/sst.005.001
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