This course will give an introductory view of data quality assurance and control (QA/QC), and focus on several quality control in a number of thematic areas relevant to the UN Ocean Decade

Learning outcomes

• Understand the importance of QA/QC in ocean data
• Be able to describe QA and QC processes their ocean data have been through in metadata shared with global data ocean data systems
• Understand issues in QC of ocean data from a range of thematic areas and be able to perform basic QC of these data

Course content

1. Introduction to data quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)
   1. Why does QA/QC matter?
   2. Data lifecycle
   3. Issues/Challenges of poor QA/QC (examples)
   4. Recommended QA/QC standards
2. QA/QC process
   1. Metadata and data quality descriptions
   2. Rules
3. Data quality in different areas
   1. Biodiversity – OBIS
   2. Ocean acidification – Katherina Schoo
   3. Bathymetry – Seabed 2030
   4. Metocean – British Oceanographic Data Centre
   5. Forecasting - Enrique Alvarez (Mercator Ocean)

Target audience and prerequisites

Target audience:

●      Marine data managers

●      Data stewards and researchers

●      Early career ocean professionals (ECOPs)

●      Ocean Decade Actions

Prerequisites:

●      Good working knowledge of English

●      Basic computer skills

●      Basic knowledge in data management is advised

●      Some knowledge of ocean data is required - advisable: take the Ocean Data Management course (see www.oceanteacher.org) - available till 31st October 2025

Language of instruction

English 

Instructors

Adam Leadbetter, DCO Ocean Data Sharing

Margarita López, DCO Ocean Data Sharing

Contributors:

·       Katherina Schoo

·       Seabed2030

·       British Oceanographic Data Centre

.       IODE/OBIS

·       Enrique Alvarez

synchronous sessions

2 meetings per week, total of 4 meetings (one hour at the start and end of each week)

The aim of these sessions is to solve any issues or questions participants might have and to build connections

Possible dates: 10 November -14 November - 17 November - 21 November

Estimated duration: 20 hours 

Organizers 

Decade Coordination Office for Ocean Data Sharing in collaboration with different experts

Learner assessment

Learning will be measured through short assessments and quizzes

Evaluation/Certificate

Certificate will be issued, the criteria is to complete all lessons in each Module of the course and complete all quizzes (70% minimum score for each quiz), complete final course feedback survey.

Technology requirements

Computer with Windows or Mac operating system

Application process

This course has a limited number of participants. (40 people)

Please complete the online application form available on this LINK. Deadline to submit is 19 September 2025  (23:59 CEST: Central European Summer Time).

UNESCO is committed to promoting equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

 costs

There are no tuition fees. 

 For any questions please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) always using the name of the course as email subject.

 Feedback survey

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.