- Data quality objective: A data quality objective (DQO) is "Quantitative and qualitative statements of the overall level of uncertainty that a decision-maker is willing to accept in results or decisions derived from environmental data DQOs provide the statistical framework for planning and managing environmental data operations consistent with the data user's needs" (QAMS 1993, 8). A data quality objective may include goals for accuracy, precision, and limits of detection. It may also include goals for completeness, comparability, and representativeness. Data quality objectives are established before sampling is begun and may influence the level of effort required to select a sample.