What if studies

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Evaluate and Assess Risk The team considers the list of What-if questions, one-by-one, to determine likely sources of errors. How to Assess Risk 4. Assign Follow-up Action Responsibilities are assigned for follow-up action s. Review the Fundamentals. How Do I Assess Risk? What Are Control Measures? What Are the Roles and Responsibilities?

Only useful if you ask the right questions Relies on intuition of team members More subjective than other methods Greater potential for reviewer bias More difficult to translate results into convincing arguments for change. Sample What-if Questions Following is a list of sample What-if questions to get your group thinking in the right directions. Human Factor Human errors occur regardless of training and experience. What if material used is too concentrated or diluted?

What if the valve s are opened or closed in the wrong sequence? What if inert gas is omitted? What if unintended materials are mixed together? What if readings are missed or ignored? What if warnings are missed or ignored? What if there are errors in diagnosis? Utility The following questions concern utilities, which are key to the support of any experiment or process: What if power is lost? Consider: Automatic shutoffs and emergency power What if power is restored automatically after loss?

Consider: Manual restarts What if laboratory ventilation is lost? Consider: Automatic shutoffs, emergency power, and redundant mechanical exhaust fans Experimental or Ancillary Equipment Consideration of failure of materials or components may result in decisions for additional controls or changes to higher rated or alternative types of materials and components. Consider: Pressure relief devices and barriers; personal protective equipment PPE What if glassware breaks during reaction? Consider: Alarms, automatic shutoffs, and emergency shut-off procedures Personal Protection This should be included since, despite best efforts with hazard reviews and training, incidents will occur.

What if a body is impacted by liquids or solids? Consider: Physical barriers What if someone is exposed to vapors or gases?

Scientific studies often come to different conclusions about the same topic. Sometimes, studies have different results even when scientists try to use the same methods and data. Occasionally, disagreements result from fraud, bias, or mistakes.

In these cases, it is important to hold those involved accountable and correct the record. For example, devices like scales and thermometers can give slightly different results even when measuring the same thing.

Not necessarily. There are many reasons why scientific studies may have different results, even when their methods are the same. Repetition is part of science. If a study is done multiple times by different scientists with similar results, scientists become more confident that the studies are providing the correct answer.

There are many reasons why studies disagree. Scientists try to share their methods and data so that others can redo their studies.

But even a small change, like using a different brand of beaker, can cause the results to be different.