Data-collection strategies

The optimal strategy for collecting X-ray diffraction data from macromolecular crystals is discussed. Two kinds of factors influencing the completeness of data are considered. The first are geometric, arising from the symmetry of the reciprocal lattice and from the experimental setup; they affect quantitatively the completeness of the measured set of reflections. The second concern the quality, or information content, of the recorded intensities of these measured reflections.