Making best use of collected weather observations is simplified where thought is given to record management and storage: gathering meteorological records is usually a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. The more effectively records are stored, the quicker and easier it becomes to analyse and use them productively – a statement which applies equally to both professional and amateur observers. This chapter provides tried and tested suggestions for collecting, storing and archiving data from both manual observations and automatic weather stations (AWSs).

This chapter focuses on the mechanics of collecting and analyzing outcome data. It reviews the foundational functions of data management as they pertain to measuring outcomes. Then it discusses different data collection mechanisms such as using spreadsheets, REDCap, registries, and electronic health records. Additional considerations for data collection are outlined such as establishing the measurement timeline and ethical and legal considerations when establishing an outcome measurement program. This chapter also discusses the steps of integrating and validating data as well as extracting and analyzing outcome data. The primary audience for this chapter is individual clinicians who want to start measuring outcomes in their clinical practice.