What is non-compliant data?
When data is submitted to Seagrass-Watch HQ it is first checked from compliancy: • legible original datasheets, • good quality quadrat photographs (high resolution), • voucher specimens (if required) and • completed MS Excel spreadsheet. A field in the Master database identifies data as either passed, quarantined or non-compliant. Non-compliant data is used for large-scale summary reporting only if the data quality is deemed acceptable, ie if it was collected by a Level 1 trained participant, that the scans/copies of datasheets are OK (only if originals are not available), and/or that the quadrat images were acceptable to complete QAQC, etc. If data quality is unacceptable, the data is either not entered into the Master database or remains quarantined (excluded from analysis & reporting). If predominantly non-compliant data is used for detailed analysis and reporting at a site or location/region, it is marked on the outputs with a notice of non-compliancy (eg site graphs). If officiall
