1. A method of analysing spectroscopic data the method comprising: directing an electron beam onto a sample; collecting spatially resolved measurement x-ray spectroscopic data of a sample for a series of measurements spots, the x-rays generated by the impact of the electron beam at each measurement spot; assigning the measurement spots into a predefined set of spectral categories, based on characteristics of the spectroscopic data of the respective measurement spots; identifying groupings of the measurement spots based on their respective spectral categories and their spatial relationships; assigning each grouping of measurement spots to a fundamental sample unit data object; and utilizing a hierarchical structure of general information data objects that embody the hierarchical relationships of the general information assigned to the fundamental sample unit data objects, with relationships defined as being either “up” the hierarchy, that is away from the fundamental sample unit data objects, or “down” the hierarchy, that is towards the fundamental sample unit data object, and wherein the general information assigned to a fundamental sample unit data object is stored in the general information data object in the hierarchical structure that represents the manner in which said general information data is shared by the fundamental sample unit data objects.