communication and storage of scientific information
- any organisation that employs a significant number of employees needs to have a structure that allows the organisation to function
- in most large scientific organisations there is a hierarchy
- this means that the most senior people will have others that report to them
- structure of organisation
- the structure depends in a number of factors
- the size of organisation
- the particular routines that are carried out
- whether the organisation is spread over several sites or concentrated on a single site
- whether the organisation is split into different groups or teams
- typical structure
| manager |
|---|
| team leaders |
| senior technicians |
| technicians or science officers |
| laboratory assistants |
- reporting of results
- the results generated in a scientific workplace need to be communicated to those that need to know them
- day to day results will be recorded via computer based reporting system,lab notebooks,printouts from equipment and at team meetings
- all of those methods may be used for generating reports that get sent to those who need them
- blood tests
- blood samples are routinely taken from patients for a variety of tests on the blood
- the doctor initiates the test
- several lines of communication are required what information needs to be and to whom? - their surgical history,blood history,infection,allergies etc etc
- people in the lab needs to know where the sample of blood comes from,patient details and the test that needs to be done
- scientific terminology
- in communicating information it is important that the correct terminology is used and understood by all members of the team regardless of location
- this is important to prevent confusion from occurring if information is shared by a number of different sites
- security
- information must be kept secure so that only those people who need to use the information can access it
- examples of need for secure information
- results of drug trails
- personal medical records
- roles and responsibilities
- it is important that every member of a team knows what they are supposed to do in the workplace
- a well organised workplace will have key roles defined and will have individuals to whom a person can go when they need guidance
- communication
- formal ::
- memo
- letter
- meeting with minutes
- informal::
- chat
- text
- social media
- what does the senior manager need to know
- staff numbers - people off sick and on training
- quantity and quality of work by staff
- results of work being carried out
- accidents /health and safety issues
- faulty or outdated equipment
- any other problems