A comparative study of gravimetric analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and an EDTA titration for the determination of the calcium content in TUMS tablets was conducted in our undergraduate analytical chemistry laboratory. The students carried out the experiments using these techniques and completed a statistical analysis of each experiment to determine if there was a difference in the analytical techniques. These experiments introduce the students to analytical techniques and facilitate an understanding of analytical chemistry. Students develop critical thinking skills, which enable them to choose the best analytical method to solve a problem. Students decide the preferred method by analyzing the same sample using three different analytical techniques, comparing the results, and reflecting on the procedures and results.
Byrd et al. (2007) studied this question.