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Environmental Sampling, Sampling Reliability, and Data Quality Objectives for the Health Assessment Process

Description

The course begins with a basic discussion of sampling and sampling errors. This will assist the participants in understanding why certain sampling methodologies are applicable to a particular sampling problem. In addition, the participant will learn techniques to reduce sampling error to a level that will achieve the data quality objectives. Basic statistics are also taught to enable the participant to understand the basis of data quality objectives, quality control and basic formulas used in sampling plan design (such as the number of samples to collect). The next section will focus on sampling situations such as selection and use of correct sampling tools, representativeness, splitting samples, documentation, sampling plan design and determination of proper quality control.

The course provides a foundation of scientific principles which will be applied to actual sampling problems. Examples and in class experiments will be used to demonstrate the problems with poor sampling and how the techniques learned in the course can be used to reduce sampling error and therefore increase sample representativeness. A major focus of the course will be sampling in compliance with EPA and other protocols when they are available. In the course, demonstrations will show how costly decision errors can be avoided by use of correct sampling practices.

The course will use active participation as the method of instruction. The course will be structured to allow time for questions and discussion.