Cost page

This page of the sample design dialog allows input and analysis of costs associated with the sample design.

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This design page contains the following controls:

Total Area to Sample	Displays the total area of selected sample areas on the map. If no map is being used, this control allows you to input a theoretical sampling area.
Units	Units associated with the inputted sampling area.
Sampling Costs
Fixed Planning and Validation Cost	This is the fixed cost associated with the design. This amount does not change with the number of samples.
Field Collection Cost per Sample	This is the cost associated with collecting and preparing the sample for delivery to the analysis laboratory.
Analytical Cost per Analysis	This is the cost associated with the laboratory analysis.
Total Cost	This is the total cost for the sampling design, using the formula: Total Cost = (Fixed Planning and Validation Cost) + (Field Collection Cost per Sample) * (Number of Samples) + (Analytical Cost per Analysis) * (Number of Samples) * (Replicate Analyses per Sample)
Cost Comparison	When using the MQO option
Method A Analytical StdDev	This is the standard deviation associated with the sample analysis for the Method A analysis (taken from the main design page).
Method B Analytical StdDev	This is the standard deviation associated with the sample analysis for the Method B analysis.
Method B Analytical Cost per Analysis	This is the cost associated with the laboratory analysis for the Method B analysis.
Cost comparison table	This table displays the number of samples and total cost associated with Method A analysis and Method B analysis for the 1, 2, and 3 replicate analyses. The combination that is highlighted in blue is the one with the lowest overall cost.

For an illustration of how to analyze costs, please refer to section 5.4 in the VSP User’s Guide.