Method for performing quantitation assays

A method for determining a concentration of particles in a sample, the method comprising:

• partitioning the sample into a number of 2 or more compartments, with each compartment comprising a sample volume and a concentration of particles of 0 or more, wherein at least part of or all of the 2 or more compartments comprise or consist of different sample volumes (vi) and/or different dilution factors (di) of the sample;
• measuring a signal from the particles in the compartments;
• and
• calculating the concentration of particles in the sample based on the signal measured,
• wherein the number (N) of separate compartments is smaller or equal to the value of the function
• N
• MAX
• =
• A
• ·
• ln
• 
• (
• C
• +
• C
• -
• )
• /
• σ
• MAX
• 2
• wherein (A) represents a real number being the integer 6,
• wherein (C+) represents a predetermined upper limit of the interval of concentration (C) to be estimated by the method,
• wherein (C−) represents a predetermined lower limit of the interval of concentration (C) to be estimated by the method,
• wherein (σMAX) represents a predetermined maximum allowable relative standard deviation of the estimate of concentration E(C) of particles, wherein C−<C<C+.