NABS Taxonomic Certification Program
As part of our ongoing effort to assure the quality of the NABS Taxonomic Certification
Program (TCP) we try to undertake a post certification review of the Certification in
which you participated. We would be most grateful if you could take a few minutes to
complete this questionnaire.
To assist you with some background to the program and the examination process the
procedures used are:
Specimens and specimen quality – All specimens are examined prior to inclusion in the
TCP inventory and subsequent use in examination test sets by the program’s Taxonomic
Experts. These are individuals who are acknowledged experts in the particular group and
meet the criteria established by the Taxonomic Certification Committee (TCC) – details
of the experts and criteria are available on the TCP web site. Specimens are selected
randomly (weighted by distribution and occurrence) from the TCP specimen inventory
for use in the tests sets. The identification of specimens is only known to the TCP staff,
and not by those hosting the certification event.
Examination Conditions – In order to extend certification to other than annual meetings
the TCP allows centres and individuals to apply to host certification events. Locations
for genus level certification agree to abide by the TCP protocol. Each examination will
be 3 hours long and a supervisor will ensure examination conditions are adhered to. The
supervisor shall be a NABS member of current standing. The identification of the
specimens is unknown to the examination supervisor. The supervisor returns completed
sets and results to the TCP coordinator for scoring.
Results procedures. – On receipt of the candidate results and test material program staff
compare the candidates answers to the specimen list which is confidential and retained in
the program office. Candidates are informed of their initial results by email. Up to the
most recent test all incorrectly identified specimens have been sent again to experts to
verify the identification. Once that re-confirmation has been received a final letter with
certification if appropriate is sent to the candidate.
The results of specimen verification have been most satisfactory and provide us with a
high level of confidence in the quality of the specimens. Up to July of 2006 108
specimens were sent for re-confirmation, 103 of these had the original identification
confirmed (95.4%). Accordingly the TCC has modified the policy on verification so that
it only occurs if a candidate misidentified 1 or 2 specimens, or the candidate appeals a
result.
Questionnaire on Taxonomic certification Programme
1. Did you find the facilities sufficient (space, equipment, microscopes)?
2. Did you find you had sufficient time to complete the specimen identification?
3. Did you find the specimen quality sufficient? If you had a problem with a
specimen was this dealt with to your satisfaction?
4. Did you find the response time for the transmission of results acceptable?
5. Did you consider the conduct of the examination fair and reasonable (e.g., proctor
selection, other exam conditions, prior information and explanation)?
6. “Please provide any additional, thoughts, comments or concerns