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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Perform scientific calculations
  2. Determine variation and/or uncertainty in data distributions
  3. Interpret data and related statistics
  4. Check for aberrant data sets
  5. Report data and analysis

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include

interpreting data handling procedures guidelines and manuals

performing laboratory computations

calculating scientific quantities

performing basic statistical analysis

performing graphical analysis

reporting results in the required formats and expected timeframe

storing retrieving and manipulating data following document traceability procedures

maintaining the security and confidentiality of data in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

role of statistics in the interpretationanalysis of environmental data

relevant terminology such as variables dispersion central tendency normal distribution confidence level and replication inference causation association correlation and hypothesis

characteristics of a valid measurement and valid sample

sources and estimates of uncertainty in measurements

calculations involving evaluation of formulae containing algebraic power exponential andor logarithmic functions measures of central tendency sum of squares variance and standard deviation

preparation and interpretation on linear and nonlinear graphs and frequency distribution plots

determination of regression line equations and correlation coefficients

statistical analysis and significance tests such as ttest analysis of variance ANOVA chi squared test and data acceptability tests such as Q T and Youden

procedures for data traceability

procedures for verifying data and rectifying mistakes

procedures for maintaining and filing records and maintaining security of data

Evidence Required

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include

storing retrieving and manipulating environmental data in accordance with enterprise procedures and traceability requirements

calculating scientific quantities relevant to the work and presenting accurate results in the required format

choosing appropriate graphicalstatistical methods to analyse given data sets

preparing frequency distributions for given data and calculating and interpreting measures of central tendency and dispersion

analysing data to determine relationships between variables and samples

maintaining the security and confidentiality of data in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements

reporting results in the required formats and expected timeframe

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment

Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidates workplace

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSLA Use laboratory application software

MSL924002A Use laboratory application software

environmental monitoring units such as the MSSA and MSSA series units of competency

environmental monitoring units, such as the MSS024000A and MSS025000A series units of competency.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team

Resources may include

data sets and records

computer and relevant software or enterprise information system

relevant workplace procedures

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of data worksheets calculations computer files such as spreadsheets and databases statistical analysis graphs andor tables prepared by the candidate

questions to assess understanding of relevant data handling procedures graphicalstatistical methods trends in data and sources of uncertainty

review of reports prepared by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers regarding the candidates ability to analyse and report data in accordance with enterprise procedures

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a worklike environment

Guidance information for assessment


Range Statement

Codes of practice

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set

AS ISO 1000:1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application

Eurachem/CITAC Guide CG4 Quantifying uncertainty in analytical measurement

ISO 5725 Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results

ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 Uncertainty of measurement - Part 3 Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM)

national measurement regulations and guidelines

National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) technical notes

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

equipment manuals and warranty, supplier catalogues and handbooks

sampling and test procedures and standard operating procedures

enterprise quality manual

validation of the equipment and associated software, where applicable

validation of spreadsheets developed in-house for assay and process calculations

Data records

Data records may include:

worksheets

spreadsheets or databases linked to information management systems

the results of tests, measurements, analyses and surveys

Laboratory computations

Laboratory computations may include:

algebraic, logarithmic, exponential and power functions

calculations involving fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions and percentages

evaluation of formulae containing powers, exponents and logarithms functions

use of scientific notation, correct units and correct number of significant figures

calculation of uncertainties

preparation and interpretation of linear, semi-log and log-log graphs

calculation and interpretation of statistical quantities, such as mean, median, mode, range, variance and standard deviation

determination of regression line equations and correlation coefficients

Calculations of scientific quantities

Calculations of scientific quantities may include:

percentage and absolute uncertainties in measurements and test results

density and salinity

noise (dB and dBA)

dose (mg), dilution(1:10), concentration (molarity, g/mL, mg/L, ppm and ppb)

pH, [H+], [OH-], buffer calculations, Ka, pKa, Kb, pKb and Kw

solubility constants Ks and pKs

radioactive half life, dose, activity and exposure

optical properties, such as absorbance, transmittance, path length, extinction coefficient, concentration (Beers law) and detection limits

electrical properties, such as conductivity and resistivity

Graphical analysis

Graphical analysis may include:

determination of linear, logarithmic, exponential and power relationships

regression lines and interpretation of correlation coefficients

preparing frequency distributions for given data

calculating and interpreting measures of central tendency and dispersion

Calculations

Calculations may be performed:

with or without a calculator

with computer software, such as:

spreadsheets

databases

statistical packages

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis may include the use of:

histograms, frequency plots, stem and leaf plots, box plots and scatter plots

probability and normal probability plots

regression methods for calibration, linearity checks and comparing analytical methods

Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient

chi squared tests

ANOVA

data acceptability tests, such as Q, t and Youden

Records

Records may include information associated with:

purchase of equipment and materials

service records

safety procedures

history of calibration and test results

management of data sets

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health