specimens.
Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1
Use appropriate method/s to collect a range of environmental data and/or specimens.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1
A list of the prescribed methods is provided that is appropriate to the area of operation.

Develop guidelines for how data should be collected
Others may not understand your data collection procedures.
• Teachers and program staff are often asked to administer evaluation instruments. It is essential that these individuals understand your data collection procedures. Otherwise, a well-intentioned individual may inadvertently jeopardize the quality of your data. This can happen, for example, when individuals alter questions on your instrument that seem too easy or hard for their students, when they do not recognize the importance of collecting the same data from students before AND after the program, or when they provide information that may bias participants' responses. For an example of instructions for teachers on administering questionnaires, pilot-testing instruments to ensure that directions are clear and that measures are appropriate for the target audience (For an example addressing the benefits of pilot testing
• rehearsing the process of administering the evaluation instrument or approach, as appropriate or feasible
• scoping out in advance the location where data collection will take place
• checking that you have the necessary supplies, such as the right number of printed instruments and consent forms (plus a few extras), pens or pencils, stamped return-addressed envelopes or other means for collecting completed questionnaires, etc.



ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2
A selection is made of appropriate data collection methods as it applies to the types of data to be collected in the operational environment. Data selection is defined as the process of determining the appropriate data type and source, as well as suitable instruments to collect data. Data selection precedes the actual practice of data collection. This definition distinguishes data selection from selective data reporting (selectively excluding data that is not supportive of a research hypothesis) and interactive/active data selection (using collected data for monitoring activities/events, or conducting secondary data analyses). The process of selecting suitable data for a research project can impact data integrity.
The primary objective of data selection is the determination of appropriate data type, source, and instrument(s) that allow investigators to adequately answer research questions. This determination is often discipline-specific and is primarily driven by the nature of the investigation, existing literature, and accessibility to necessary data sources.
Integrity issues can arise when the decisions to select ‘appropriate’ data to collect are based primarily on cost and convenience considerations rather than the ability of data to adequately answer research questions. Certainly, cost and convenience are valid factors in the decision-making process. However, researchers should assess to what degree these factors might compromises the integrity of the research endeavor.