Assay Models
Geodb.io includes three specialized models for managing assay data: Certificate, Assay, and QAQC. These models work together to ensure exploration data is stored cleanly, accurately, and with full traceability, supporting Geodb.io’s commitment to maintaining high-quality, lossless data.
Geodb.io includes three specialized models for managing assay data: Certificate, Assay, and QAQC. These models work together to ensure exploration data is stored cleanly, accurately, and with full traceability, supporting Geodb.io’s commitment to maintaining high-quality, lossless data.
Overview of Assay Models
Certificate
The Certificate model represents assay certificates issued by laboratories. Key characteristics include:
The Certificate model represents assay certificates issued by laboratories. Key characteristics include:
- Must be linked to a specific laboratory.
- Requires at least one method, which defines detection limits for assay results.
- Must be associated with a QAQC record to ensure quality control.
Detection limit information (below, within, or above) is preserved for each assay tied to the certificate, providing clear visibility into data reliability.
Assay
The Assay model stores individual assay results. Key features:
- Must be linked to a QAQC record for quality assurance.
- Retains detailed metadata from the associated Certificate, including laboratory methods and detection limits.
- Stores results separately for each method and element to maintain data integrity.
QAQC
The QAQC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) model enforces data validation and consistency. Key aspects:
- Required for every Assay and Certificate.
- Sample types are defined at the company level and can be customized (e.g., blanks, standards, duplicates).
- Standards are also defined at the company level, ensuring consistency across projects.
- Duplicates should be linked to a related Point Sample or Drill Sample for traceability.
Data Integrity and Linking
The Assay models are designed to preserve exploration data in its raw, unprocessed form:
- Each method and element in an Assay is stored separately, avoiding data aggregation or loss.
- Detection limit information (e.g., below detection level or above detection limit) is explicitly maintained, tied to the Certificate’s laboratory and method details.
- QAQC records link assays to quality control processes, ensuring reliability and auditability.
Exporting Assay Data
When exporting models linked to assays (e.g., Point Samples or Drill Samples) via the web application or API, users have flexible options:
- Merge Methods: Combine all methods for each element into a single column (e.g., unifying multiple assays for the same element).
- Unify Units: Standardize units across the exported data for consistency.
- Raw Data Preservation: Even when merging or unifying for export, the underlying data remains stored separately in Geodb.io, adhering to the platform’s no-data-loss policy.
Company-Level Customization
QAQC configurations are managed at the company level for consistency:
- Sample Types: Fully customizable (common examples include blanks, standards, and duplicates).
- Standards: Defined company-wide to ensure uniform quality benchmarks.
- Linking: QAQC duplicates should reference a corresponding Point Sample or Drill Sample to maintain data relationships.
Why It Matters
The Assay, Certificate, and QAQC models work in tandem to provide a robust framework for exploration data management. By enforcing QAQC requirements, preserving detection limit details, and offering flexible export options, Geodb.io ensures your assay data remains organized, reliable, and ready for analysis—whether you’re working in the web application, QGIS, or via the API.