Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What calculation is necessary to determine the upper and lower control limits associated with industrial hygiene sampling calculations?

1. Calculate the mean and mode

2. Calculate the range of the sample

3. Must also calculate the coefficient of variation

4. Calculate the sample size required

The correct answer is: Must also calculate the coefficient of variation

To determine the upper and lower control limits associated with industrial hygiene sampling calculations, it is essential to calculate the coefficient of variation. This is because the coefficient of variation provides an understanding of the standard deviation in relation to the mean, which can help assess the degree of variation in the data collected during sampling. Control limits are typically set at a certain number of standard deviations from the mean, often using the standard deviation derived from the coefficient of variation. By understanding this relationship, it allows for setting appropriate control limits that can effectively indicate whether the sampled data is within acceptable levels or if there may be issues requiring further investigation. This is especially critical in industrial hygiene, where exposure levels can have significant health implications. The other options focus on different statistical measures and calculations. While calculating the mean and mode can provide insights about the central tendency of the data, they do not directly contribute to establishing control limits. Similarly, calculating the range gives an idea about the spread of the data but does not sufficiently inform control limits. Calculating the sample size is important for ensuring that the data collected is statistically valid but does not directly aid in determining control limits either. Therefore, understanding the coefficient of variation is the key calculation necessary to assess control limits effectively.