TABLE OF CONTENTS In the scenario described below, poor communication between an analyst and a researcher leads the analyst to do work on the samples that does not give what the researcher wanted and expected. Both the researcher and the analyst need essential information from each other to ensure that the work done on the samples is suitable, useful and well received by the researcher; and satisfying for the analyst.
While reading the scenario you are asked to consider the situation that the analyst has to address. At the end of it there are some explanatory notes but, before turning to them, you are asked to think about how the unsatisfactory outcome might have been avoided.
Suppose that the following conversation (which unfortunately is not entirely fanciful) took place between a researcher and an analyst in the laboratory:
| Researcher: | I am going to harvest some plants from an experiment next week. I need to know the amount of P in them. Can you do that analysis for me? |
| Analyst: | Yes, P determination in plant material is one of our standard procedures when do you want to bring them in? |
| Researcher: | Well, if I harvest them on Thursday, can I bring them first thing Friday morning? |
| Analyst: | I'll check my work diary yes that will be all right. That's agreed then, I'll see you on Friday morning, with the samples. |
However, there was a slight change of plan. The researcher had to leave early, but he entrusted...
