ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the acquisition and exploration of data from the affected site and nearby comparison sites. It is the first of several that discuss data and analyses that are used to derive evidence of causation. Evidence derived using those data sets must be related to case-specific observations. Focusing first on information from the case begins the process of understanding what data are available for deriving evidence directly from the case or in conjunction with models and knowledge from other similar situations. Most government agencies and private entities require a plan and systems for documenting data sources and the data’s relevance and quality for scientific studies. Maps and timelines help join data sets that come from different sources. They also are used to identify ways of grouping and comparing sampling events to minimize the influence of natural factors.
