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A PRACTICAL MODEL INTEGRATING QUALITY ASSURANCE INTO ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 1
Author(s) -
Clark Malcolm J. R.,
Whitfield Paul H.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1993.tb01509.x
Subject(s) - quality assurance , credibility , documentation , audit , qa/qc , data collection , computer science , sample (material) , process (computing) , data quality , sampling (signal processing) , program assurance , quality (philosophy) , plan (archaeology) , risk analysis (engineering) , process management , engineering , accounting , operations management , business , statistics , mathematics , philosophy , software , filter (signal processing) , software system , law , history , metric (unit) , chemistry , external quality assessment , archaeology , operating system , software construction , epistemology , chromatography , political science , computer vision , programming language
A model of comprehensive environmental monitoring process with integral quality assurance is presented. This model views the monitoring process as iterative cycles of a series of elements: design, plan, protocols, preparation, field liaison, sample collection, sample handling, laboratory analysis, data transmission, data validation, data approval, data provision, statistical analysis, and reporting. Quality assurance is linked to each element, not just to laboratory analysis. The program of quality assurance ensures that environmental monitoring data are compatible with the project goals, are comparable between various sampling agencies, and maintain a high degree of scientific credibility. The key characteristics of the overall quality assurance process are detailed documentation, timely resolution of problems, regular reporting, and routine independent audits.