Raquel Múrtula
Raquel Múrtula Corbí is a Pharmacist and expert in microbiology in the environmental field for more than 20 years. As technical manager of the microbiology department in ielab, since 2007 she is focused on the development, certification and commercialization of microbiological reference material. She is also in charge of the management of microbiological proficiency testing schemes. Raquel is member of Eurachem-PT and EEE-PT working groups since 2015, author or coauthor of 15 scientific publications and participant of several conferences.
Afternoon 28th September
[T1] Basic Statistics
In the training course, the basic principles of statistics necessary for statistical evaluation of PTs will be explained, starting from an explanation of data distribution and how to draw that, e.g. with a histogram. Different types of position and variability indexes will be provided to summarize the data. The normal distribution, its important properties and its connection with the way to evaluate the participant performance, as well as detection of outliers, will be part of the programme. Necessary statistics for stability and homogeneity tests in PTs will be also treated. Quick reference about qualitative PTs will finalize the programme. The training will also contain guided exercises. *Trainers: Marzia Mancin and Piotr Robouch
Afternoon 28th September
[T2] Homogeneity & Stability
In this training course, attendees will learn about the important requirements, procedures and criteria for assessment of homogeneity and stability of the PT samples, according to ISO 13528. For homogeneity and stability assessment, participants will learn about the following key points: requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2023 standard, how to perform representative and statistical sampling, doing replicate testing in and over time, comparison methods of results, statistical analysis of data, outlier handling, and the experience and expertise supplied by the PT provider. *Trainers: Kees van Putten and Caroline Laurent
Afternoon 28th September
[T3] Advanced Statistics
The training will focus on the more sophisticated statistical techniques described in ISO 13528:2015. Robust techniques for the estimation of mean and standard deviation - Algorithm A, Qn method and Q/Hampel method - will be explained and can be compared in an exercise using an Excel programme provided. The principles of kernel density estimation and bootstrapping will be shown and Excel files will provided for that as well. *Trainers: Marzia Mancin and Piotr Robouch
Afternoon 28th September
[T4] Demystifying Reports
The training will explain how a laboratory assesses his performance by comparing their results with those of other laboratories thanks to the right interpretation of the PT reports.
Understanding these reports involves recognizing key performance indicators, like z-scores, and understanding their implications. In this course we will clarify the information provided in the PT reports, so that the participant will be familiar with key statistical terms used in PT reports, such as z-scores and standard deviations. Apart from understanding the content of a PT report, we will explain the importance of performing investigation of unsatisfactory or questionable PT results. *Trainers: Brian Brokman and Raquel MúrtulaMonday 28th September 2026
[T1] Basic Statistics
In this training course, the basic statistical principles required for the evaluation of proficiency testing (PT) results will be explained. The course begins with an introduction to data distribution and its graphical representation, for example using histograms. Participants will learn about different measures of central tendency and variability used to summarise data. The programme will also cover the normal distribution - its key properties, relevance to performance evaluation, and methods for detecting outliers. In addition, statistical approaches for testing stability and homogeneity in PTs will be presented. The course will conclude with a brief overview of statistics applied to qualitative PTs and will include guided practical exercises.
*Trainers: Marzia Mancin and Piotr Robouch
Monday 28th September 2026
[T2] Homogeneity & Stability - approaches to assessment
In this training course, participants will learn about the key requirements, procedures, and criteria for assessing the homogeneity and stability of proficiency testing (PT) samples in accordance with ISO 13528. The course will cover essential aspects such as the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2023, representative and statistical sampling, replicate testing within and over time, comparison and evaluation of results, statistical data analysis. Practical insights will also be shared on how the PT provider’s experience and expertise contribute to reliable homogeneity and stability assessment.
*Trainers: Kees van Putten and Caroline Laurent
Monday 28th September 2026
[T3] Advanced Statistics
The training will focus on the advanced statistical techniques described in ISO 13528:2015. Participants will learn about robust methods for estimating the mean and standard deviation, including Algorithm A, the Qn method, and the Q/Hampel method. These techniques will be demonstrated and compared through practical exercises using an Excel tool provided. The course will also introduce the principles of kernel density estimation and bootstrapping, with corresponding Excel files supplied for hands-on exploration.
*Trainers: Marzia Mancin and Piotr Robouch
Monday 28th September 2026
[T4] Demystifying Reports - understanding and interpretation
This training will explain how laboratories can assess their performance by comparing their results with those of other participants through the correct interpretation of proficiency testing (PT) reports. Participants will learn to identify and understand key performance indicators, such as z-scores and standard deviations, and their implications for performance evaluation. The course will clarify the statistical terms commonly used in PT reports and highlight the importance of investigating unsatisfactory or questionable results to ensure continuous improvement and data reliability.
*Trainers: Brian Brookman and Raquel Múrtula
Monday 28th September 2026
[T1] Basic Statistics
In the training course, the basic principles of statistics necessary for statistical evaluation of PTs will be explained, starting from an explanation of data distribution and how to draw that, e.g. with a histogram. Different types of position and variability indexes will be provided to summarize the data. The normal distribution, its important properties and its connection with the way to evaluate the participant performance, as well as detection of outliers, will be part of the programme. Necessary statistics for stability and homogeneity tests in PTs will be also treated. Quick reference about qualitative PTs will finalize the programme. The training will also contain guided exercises. *Trainers: Marzia Mancin and Piotr Robouch
Monday 28th September 2026
[T2] Homogeneity & Stability
In this training course, attendees will learn about the important requirements, procedures and criteria for assessment of homogeneity and stability of the PT samples, according to ISO 13528. For homogeneity and stability assessment, participants will learn about the following key points: requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2023 standard, how to perform representative and statistical sampling, doing replicate testing in and over time, comparison methods of results, statistical analysis of data, outlier handling, and the experience and expertise supplied by the PT provider. *Trainers: Kees van Putten and Caroline Laurent
Monday 28th September 2026
[T3] Advanced Statistics
The training will focus on the more sophisticated statistical techniques described in ISO 13528:2015. Robust techniques for the estimation of mean and standard deviation - Algorithm A, Qn method and Q/Hampel method - will be explained and can be compared in an exercise using an Excel programme provided. The principles of kernel density estimation and bootstrapping will be shown and Excel files will provided for that as well. *Trainers: Marzia Mancin and Piotr Robouch
Monday 28th September 2026
[T4] Demystifying Reports
The training will explain how a laboratory assesses his performance by comparing their results with those of other laboratories thanks to the right interpretation of the PT reports.
Understanding these reports involves recognizing key performance indicators, like z-scores, and understanding their implications. In this course we will clarify the information provided in the PT reports, so that the participant will be familiar with key statistical terms used in PT reports, such as z-scores and standard deviations. Apart from understanding the content of a PT report, we will explain the importance of performing investigation of unsatisfactory or questionable PT results. *Trainers: Brian Brokman and Raquel Múrtula