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Statistical Classification1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 1940

A. L. Kroeber*
Affiliation:
University of California, Berkeley, California

Extract

I present herewith four-cell coefficients calculated from data given in two recent midwestern archaeological reports by Webb and Griffin. The purpose is not controversial, since in a simple situation involving a small number of culturally related sites a competent archaeologist saturated in his material can draw all important classificatory inferences and it would be vain to hope that any statistical device would add anything fundamental. What calculations can do in such a case is this: (1) Check errors and oversights of “intuitive” or inspectional interpretation. This of course holds both ways: if there is serious disagreement, a coraputatory error may be at fault. (2) Present results with added clarity and incisiveness, especially after numerical coefficients have been translated into diagrams. (3) Indicate minor revisions of classification. (4) Sometimes suggest the factor at work if a classification comes out conflicting or dubious at certain points.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1940

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