Overview
Dataset quality control (QC) states allow you to track the extent of quality control that has been performed on study data. Administrators define the available QC states, often to reflect an approval workflow, such as:
- Not Yet Reviewed
- Passed Review
- Did Not Pass Review
Quality control states can be assigned to datasets as a whole or on a row-by-row basis.
LabKey's dataset QC features allow you to mark incoming datasets with the level of quality control executed before incorporation of the dataset into a study. Once datasets are part of a study, the QC markers for individual rows or entire datasets can be defined to recognize subsequent rounds of quality control.
Feature summary for dataset QC:
- The quality control process allows study administrators to define a series of approval and review states for data.
- Each can be associated with "public" or "nonpublic" settings that define the initial/default visibility of the data, though do not permanently limit visibility.
- Different QC states can be assigned to incoming data depending on the import method used. Default QC states can be assigned different for:
- (1) assay data copied to a study
- (2) data imported via the Pipeline
- (3) TSV data inserted directly into a study dataset.
- Reviewers can filter a data grid by QC State and thus find all data requiring review from a single screen.
- All quality control actions are audited in the audit log.
Note that the "public/nonpublic" setting is a convenience but not a security feature, because it does not use Security roles to determine visibility. These settings only control how the data is
initially displayed/filtered when the dataset grid is rendered. Users with the Reader role in the study, are able to re-filter the grid to see all data regardless of QC states.
In contrast,
assay QC states can be configured to utilize security roles to determine data visibility in a more secure way.
Filter Datasets by QC State
Users can filter data grids to display a particular quality control state.
- Go to the dataset of interest.
- Click QC States. If the "QC States" button is not visible above your dataset, ask your admin to set up dataset-level QC.
- Choose one of the pre-defined states listed in the first section of the dropdown menu, All Data or Public/approved Data.
For example, the following screenshot shows how you would select all rows of data that remain in the "Not Yet Reviewed" QC state.
Change the QC State
You can change the QC state for dataset rows if you have sufficient permission (i.e., the Editor role or greater).
- Go to the dataset, filter as appropriate, and select one or more rows using the checkboxes.
- Select QC States > Update state of selected data.
- New QC State: Select from the dropdown.
- Enter a comment.
- Click Update Status.
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