IUPAC

The term "dimensionality" has been used by the analytical chemistry community with several meanings. On different occasions, analysts speak about "two-dimensional" analytical methods, for example, 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, 2D thin-layer chromatography, "two-dimensional" or "three-dimensional" analytical information [1], "two-dimensional" or "three-dimensional" images in surface analytical chemistry, and of "m-dimensional" analytical data [2] obtained, for example, as a result of multicomponent analyses. These examples show that the use of the term "dimensionality" is at times contradictory. This confused position does not promote the unequivocal application of the term "dimensionality" in analytical chemistry. The aim of this document is to provide a concept for the use of the term "dimensionality" as it is related to analytical information.