Data correction is probably the least favourite activity amongst users experimenting with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS): if it is not done sufficiently well, this may become evident during the data analysis stage, necessitating the repetition of the data corrections from scratch. A recommended, comprehensive sequence of elementary data correction steps is presented here to alleviate the difficulties associated with data correction. When applied in the proposed order, the resulting data will provide a high degree of accuracy for both solid samples and dispersions. The solution here can be applied without modification to any pinhole-collimated instruments with photon-counting, direct detection area detectors.
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