Collect scientific data

I must deliver the collected experimental readings from the greenhouse to Dr. Lopez and the lab manager by Tuesday. Verify the sheet has timestamps, sensor IDs, and units for every row, confirm outliers are marked, ensure the data dictionary tab explains each column, and check the import log for any dropped records before I hand it over.

Before sharing the dataset with the research lead, make it easy to trust: show the record count and range of dates at the top, flag missing timestamps and sensor drifts, surface the method used to interpolate gaps, and attach a short note listing any sensors replaced during collection that might affect continuity.

The overnight import dropped three logger files and the dataset now has gaps in the last week. The principal investigator expects continuous coverage and may delay publication if we lose days. I don't know whether the devices failed or the USB transfer corrupted files. What's the most likely cause, who should I call first, and what provisional message should I send to Dr. Lopez to manage expectations?

We keep losing continuous records from the east-bed sensor cluster, and I spend hours repairing gaps in the spreadsheet before analysis. Where is the process breaking down, and which two changes to how we log, back up, or validate incoming files will stop this recurring firefight?