Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS)

• Data Analysis Methods
• Fundamentals of Data Analysis
• Get Data Analysis Tools

This page provides advice on handling data to provide a sound foundation for analysis.

It is important to understand and apply these fundamental concepts when performing a causal analysis to avoid making errors in applying analysis methods or interpreting output. The navigation box to the right and the list below provides links to more specific advice. Factors to consider include:

• Data Sources
  • What types of data are potentially available and useful?
  • Were data collected from the original source or a compilation of many data sources?
  • Were the data collected using a probabilistic or targeted design?
  • Were data generated by models such as AQUATOX?
    
    
• Assuring Data Quality
  • Are data appropriate and consistent with the intended use?
    
    
• Matching Data in Space and Time
  • Can stressor information be rationally associated with measured biological responses?
    
    
• Classifying Sites
  • Were data collected from a sufficiently similar habitat?
    
    
• Normalizing Data
  • Are data influenced by variability from non-stressor factors such as altitude or drainage area?
    
    
• Using Statistics Responsibly
  • Are you interpreting the results of your analyses properly?
    
    
• Extrapolation
  • Are laboratory conditions sufficiently similar to field conditions?
  • Is the field-study situation similar or appropriate to the field conditions under investigation?
  • How do the taxa and specific effects evaluated in the laboratory relate to taxa and specific effects observed at the site?
  • Are exposure durations evaluated in other studies similar to the exposures at the site?
    
    
• Organizing Data along Causal Pathways
  • Do data inform any of the pathways within the conceptual models that were created for the assessment?