Quality Assurance
In environmental studies, data must meet appropriate quality standards to be useful in determining human exposure, air and water quality, and research objectives. Excellent data sets begin with careful planning (the Quality Assurance Project Plan concept) and conclude with quality-assured measurement techniques and careful data review.
The interdisciplinary scientific teams at RTI have expertise in environmental management, quality assurance and quality control, chemistry, biology, statistics, decision theory, management science, quality systems and standards, and related areas.
Quality Assurance Services
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Data quality objectives -- Defining project assumptions, proposing project strategies, and determining project activities
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Quality assurance project plans -- Developing formal documents that fully align specific project activities with QA objectives
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Technical systems audits -- Conducting systematic and objective examinations of technical operations at environmental monitoring facilities
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Calibration services -- Adjusting and regulating gaseous monitoring instruments, particulate samplers, and other gas-measuring devices
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Performance evaluations -- Conducting quantitative audits to determine whether measurement system results are within specifications
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Third-party data reviews -- Conducting independent quality audits of entire program activities to ensure data accuracy from various perspectives
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Data quality assessments -- Performing scientific and statistical evaluations to determine whether the data are supporting their intended use
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Quality assurance training and workshops -- Providing presentations, seminars, and hands-on training to help clients understand and use the QA process from project inception to completion
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Guidance and technical assistance documents -- Preparing detailed and clearly written guidance for environmental measurement and monitoring programs
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