laboratory and program levels. In EMAP, Level 1 peer reviews are
performed by USEPA’s Science Advisory Board, level 2 by the
NAS National Research Council, level 3 by specialist panel peer
reviews, and level 4 by internal USEPA respondents.
Pilot field program
A collection of pilot projects whose objectives are to provide the
scientific information required prior to a decision to implement a
monitoring design for a resource. Preliminary estimates of resource
condition are not planned and will not be made from a pilot field
program, which does not have a data quality objective; the individual pilot projects and demonstration projects do have DQOs.
Pilot project
A research project that requires fieldwork to meet a stated research
project quality objective, and the objective is not to provide preliminary estimates of resource condition. Each research activity on an
indicator should be described as an individual pilot project usually
during a single index period. Pilot projects are used to evaluate
indicators, sampling strategy, methods, and logistics.
Population
“A group of interbreeding organisms occupying a particular space;
the number of humans or other living creatures in a designated area.
In statistics and sampling design, the total universe addressed in a
sampling effort; an assemblage of units of a particular resource, or
any subset of extensive resources, about which inferences are
desired or made. RAF defines population to be “an aggregate of
individuals of a species within a specified location in space and
time.”
Population estimation
Classic survey estimation of population parameters. Such estimates
will not reflect spatial configuration except through identification of
the population, or of subpopulations, which may be defined by
spatial attributes.
Population units
The entities that make up a target population. The units can be
defined in many ways, depending on the survey objectives and the
type of measurement to be made. Typically, definitions of environmental units include (1) an explicit statement of the characteristics
each population unit must possess in order to be considered a
member of the target population and a (2) specification of location
in space and time.
Precision
The degree to which replicate measurements of the same attribute
agree or are exact. “The degree to which a set of observations or
measurements of the same property, usually obtained under similar
conditions, conform to themselves; a data quality indicator.”
Probability sample
A sample chosen in such a manner that the probabilities of including
the selected units in the sample are known and all population units
have a positive probability of selection. This implies that the target
population is represented by the sample and that the target population is explicitly defined.
Projection
A mathematical model that transforms the locations of features on
the earth’s surface to locations on a two-dimensional surface.
Quality assessment
“The evaluation of environmental data to determine if they meet the
quality criteria required for a specific application.”
Quality assurance (QA)
“An integrated system of activities involving planning, quality
control, quality assessment, reporting and quality improvement to
ensure that a product or service meets defined standards of quality
with a stated level of confidence.” In EMAP, quality assurance
consists of multiple steps taken to ensure that all data quality
objectives are achieved.
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performed by USEPA’s Science Advisory Board, level 2 by the
NAS National Research Council, level 3 by specialist panel peer
reviews, and level 4 by internal USEPA respondents.
Pilot field program
A collection of pilot projects whose objectives are to provide the
scientific information required prior to a decision to implement a
monitoring design for a resource. Preliminary estimates of resource
condition are not planned and will not be made from a pilot field
program, which does not have a data quality objective; the individual pilot projects and demonstration projects do have DQOs.
Pilot project
A research project that requires fieldwork to meet a stated research
project quality objective, and the objective is not to provide preliminary estimates of resource condition. Each research activity on an
indicator should be described as an individual pilot project usually
during a single index period. Pilot projects are used to evaluate
indicators, sampling strategy, methods, and logistics.
Population
“A group of interbreeding organisms occupying a particular space;
the number of humans or other living creatures in a designated area.
In statistics and sampling design, the total universe addressed in a
sampling effort; an assemblage of units of a particular resource, or
any subset of extensive resources, about which inferences are
desired or made. RAF defines population to be “an aggregate of
individuals of a species within a specified location in space and
time.”
Population estimation
Classic survey estimation of population parameters. Such estimates
will not reflect spatial configuration except through identification of
the population, or of subpopulations, which may be defined by
spatial attributes.
Population units
The entities that make up a target population. The units can be
defined in many ways, depending on the survey objectives and the
type of measurement to be made. Typically, definitions of environmental units include (1) an explicit statement of the characteristics
each population unit must possess in order to be considered a
member of the target population and a (2) specification of location
in space and time.
Precision
The degree to which replicate measurements of the same attribute
agree or are exact. “The degree to which a set of observations or
measurements of the same property, usually obtained under similar
conditions, conform to themselves; a data quality indicator.”
Probability sample
A sample chosen in such a manner that the probabilities of including
the selected units in the sample are known and all population units
have a positive probability of selection. This implies that the target
population is represented by the sample and that the target population is explicitly defined.
Projection
A mathematical model that transforms the locations of features on
the earth’s surface to locations on a two-dimensional surface.
Quality assessment
“The evaluation of environmental data to determine if they meet the
quality criteria required for a specific application.”
Quality assurance (QA)
“An integrated system of activities involving planning, quality
control, quality assessment, reporting and quality improvement to
ensure that a product or service meets defined standards of quality
with a stated level of confidence.” In EMAP, quality assurance
consists of multiple steps taken to ensure that all data quality
objectives are achieved.
228
S. O. Darkwah et al.