AWWA QTC97159

How can quality be assured in experimental design with a multi-national, multi-laboratory project? This paper discusses how a project team of investigators met these challenges. The project, "Comparative Study of Methods for Assessment of Viability and Infectivity of Cryptosporidium in the US and UK" is a collaborative effort involving four laboratories (2 in the US and 2 in the UK) and a statistical team. The main objective of the project was to perform a parallel comparison of three different methods of assessing the viability of oocyst age and the effects of treatment stresses. To assure the validation of various steps in the research design, two key areas were considered critical: standard operating procedures and quality control/quality assurance procedures. Personnel training and communication methods were also addressed.