Data Validation

This 1-hour interactive online course reviews the basics of Data Validation, or the quality assurance review of technical data. Data validation is an important concept for any engineer, scientist or contractor dealing with a Superfund site. Data validation is required for most data emanating from a Superfund site, which is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Much of the information presented in this course is available on EPA web sites.

An EPA document which provides standard operating procedures for data validation will be presented as part of the course. This document is specific to EPA Region 4 (Southeast U.S.) but is also applicable to the other regions. A multiple-choice quiz covering the EPA document and the other information provided will then conclude the course.

There will be a multiple-choice quiz at the end of this course.

At the conclusion of this course, you will understand the following aspects of data validation:

• The need for data validation
• Safety, public health and legal ramifications
• The basics of Superfund legislation
• Sampling and tracking mechanisms
• Confidentiality of data
• Actual operating procedures to follow
• The jargon involved in data validation and the Superfund program
• Related documentation.