Problems with environmental data: A case study in climatology

Abstract

Environmental data, including climatic data, are often being used to an accuracy for which they were not intended. This is becoming more apparent with the use of sophisticated statistical techniques in which computers play a major role. The example of data used in large‐scale secular temperature changes is given here because our studies have cast doubt on the representativeness and reliability of the data used. A method is suggested for finding the best candidates for climatic reference stations in the U.S.A., so that from these a good database can result.