Some statistical design and analysis aspects for NAEG studies

Some of the design and analysis aspects of the NAEG studies at safety-shot sites are reviewed in conjunction with discussions of possible new approaches. The use of double sampling to estimate inventories is suggested as a means of obtaining data for estimating the geographical distribution of plutonium using computer contouring programs. The lack of estimates of error for plutonium contours is noted and a regression approach discussed for obtaining such estimates. The kinds of new data that are now available for analysis from A site of Area 11 and the four Tonopah Test Range (TTR) sites are outlined, and the need for a closer look at methods for analyzing ratio-type data is pointed out. The necessity for thorough planning of environmental sampling programs is emphasized in order to obtain the maximum amount of information for fixed cost. Some general planning aspects of new studies at nuclear sites and experimental clean-up plots are discussed, as is the planning of interlaboratory comparisons. (U.S.)