The present invention generally pertains to methods and kits for managing the variation in spectroscopic intensity measurements through the use of a reference component. The reference component may comprise a reference spectroscopic substance and may be contained together with a sample of interest in a sample to be tested, wherein the sample of interest may comprise a sample spectroscopic substance. Each sample to be tested may be uniquely identified and, hence, “barcoded” by combinations of different colors and concentrations of spectroscopic substances, contained therein.