About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

093287 1 (1972-09-06)

handle is hein.gao/gaobacxdd0001 and id is 1 raw text is: UNITED STATES GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON, D C 20548 GENERAL GOVERNMENT DIVISION SEP 6 1972 Dear Dr White We have reviewed the legislation, policies, procedures and practices associated with (1) the operation of geomagnetic obser- vatories, (2) the analysis of geomagnetic data, and (3) the preparation of geomagnetic information for dissemination to users. The review was performed primarily at NOAA headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. A significant portion of the review was performed prior to internal reorganiations which affected the geomagnetism program. We did not examine NOAA's basic research activities relating to geomagnetism. In the mid-1960's NOAA increased its number of permanent geomagnetic observatories from 10 to 14 and established a number of temporary observatories to conduct activities in 1964 and 1965 -- the International Quiet Sun Years. This expansion of the geomagnetic observatory network and subsequent reductions in staff assigned to analyze geomagnetic data has adversely affected the balance between NOAA's data gathering and its analysis and processing capabilities. NOAA officials stated that prior to the personnel reductions, which took place between the end of fiscal year 1967 to the end of fiscal year 1971, there was sufficient staff to perform the various duties to insure the production of timely and accurate data. The personnel reductions necessitated the gradual introduction of modi- fied processing procedures which did not provide the degree of accuracy that formerly existed. Furthermore, formal standards for data quality do not exist. While the users of geomagnetic data have traditionally relied on NDAA's reputation for compiling accurate data, there have been instances where users detected errors in the processed data after the modified procedures were introduced Although NOAA officials believe that most users were unaffected by the modified procedures, the de- cision to modify the procedures was not based on a comprehensive evaluation of users' requirements.

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most