This part of ISO 16014 specifes a general method for determining the average molecular mass and the molecular mass distribution of polymers using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The average molecular mass and the molecular mass distribution are calculated from a calibration curve constructed using polymer standards if using one of the SEC techniques described in Parts 2 to 4 of this International Standard or from a calibration curve constructed using absolute molecular mass data if using size-exclusion chromatography coupled with light-scattering detection (SEC-LS) as described in Part 5 of this International Standard.