Rod SET QA/QC Protocols Leigh Anne Sharp, LDNR/CRD LFO Data Recording Data Entry Reporting Deliverables

Field Data Sheet Rod SET data is collected in 4 directions with 9 pin measurements recorded for each direction. The four directions (bearings in degrees) should be the same each time the instrument is read. If for some reason one of those directions changes (i.e. the plot is disturbed in some way and must be abandoned), the new direction should be recorded in the Site History. The numbered pins should always be read in the corresponding hole. The same RSET instrument should always be used at a site.

Field Data Sheet Cont’d Detailed comments should be recorded about the surface that the RSET instrument is being leveled to. If the pin lands in a hole, on a large root or clump of grass or if the surface is a slurry should be noted in the comments section. Water level should be noted in the site conditions section.

Data Entry Data from field sheet is entered into SONRIS.

Data Retrieval Data goes into a buffer before it is accepted into the database. Data can be retrieved from the buffer via download for QA/QC.

Data Retrieval Data is output from SONRIS is the format below.

QA/QC Process The data from the buffer should be checked against the field sheet for correctness. The verified data should be QA/QC’d further to check for some basic consistencies: 1.That there are 36 measurements for a site, 9 in each direction. 2.That the directions were the same as last time. 3.That the same instrument was used as last time. The verified data should further be checked for quality by calculating the difference in pin height (elevation change) over the time interval. 1.Data should be plotted with elevation change means (n=9) ± standard error for each direction. 2.Outliers, defined here as observations outside the 95% Confidence Interval for the mean in a direction should be noted. Flagged observations should be addressed in the data report.

Data Review Example Using Exported data from SONRIS, compare the most recent and previous RSET sampling. Report elevation change (mm) and 95% Confidence Intervals for each direction. Identify outliers and review comments.

Data Review Example Summarize data by directions and for consistency. Plot mean Elevation Change ± Standard Error by direction. If means and variations are not similar, attempt to determine why and re-examine data and comments.

Troubleshooting Data goes back up the QA/QC chain and is corrected if: Data weren’t entered correctly into SONRIS Problem observations were not identified Sampling was inconsistent (i.e. instrument and directions) The Site History Report should be updated if: Disturbance to the SET has occurred. A direction needs to be replaced.

QA/QC Checklist Generic form Includes trip details

Deliverables QA/QC Packet: Original Data Sheets QA/QC Data Report Data review and graphs, discussion of outliers Field Trip Report Personnel, purpose, weather, sites sampled that day, type of sampling, explanation of problems encountered in the field, biological and other site alterations QA/QC Checklist All electronic files