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Metric Data in Archaeology: A Study of Intra-Analyst and Inter-Analyst Variation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

R. Lee Lyman and
Todd L. VanPool
R. Lee Lyman
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, 107 Swallow Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211-1440 (lymanr@missouri.edu)
Todd L. VanPool
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, 107 Swallow Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211-1440 (vanpoolt@missouri.edu)
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Abstract

Metric data are regularly presented, analyzed, and compared. Despite acknowledgment that metric data can vary both when collected by one observer and when collected by multiple observers, few studies of these sources of variation in archaeological metric data have been undertaken. Intra-observer and inter-observer measurement errors are examined across four dimensions of 23 modern bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) astragali and five dimensions of 30 specimens of stone projectile point representing 4 culture-historical (temporal) types. Statistical and graphical analyses indicate that measuring dimensions of the same specimens multiple times facilitates determination of dimensions that can be readily and reliably measured and serves to screen data for data recording errors and for dimensions that may be subject to high levels of intra-observer and inter-observer variation.

Résumé

Résumé

Con regularidad se presenta, se analiza y compara los datos métricos. A pesar del reconocimiento que los datos métricos pueden variar cuando un observador los colecta y cuando various observadores los colectan. Han hecho pocos estudios de estos orígenes de variaciones en los datos métricos arqueológicos. Se examinan los errores en medidas de intra-observador e inter-observador a través cuatro dimensiones de astragli moderno de 23 borregos con cuernos largos (Ovis canadensis) y cinco dimensiones de 30 espécimen del punto de proyectil de piedra que representan 4 tipos cultural-históricos (temporal). Análisis estadístico y gráfico indica que al medir las dimensiones de las mismas espécimen varias veces se facilita la determinación de las dimensiones que pueden ser fácilmente y correctamente medidas y sirve para examinar los datos para errores de la grabación de los datos y para las dimensiones que pueden ser sujeto a niveles altos de variación entre intra-observador y inter-observador.

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Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 74 , Issue 3 , July 2009, pp. 485 - 504
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 2009

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