Testing inter-observer error under a collaborative research framework for studying lithic shape variability

Evaluating error that arises through the aggregation of data recorded by multiple observers is a key consideration in many metric and geometric morphometric analyses of stone tool shape. One of the most common approaches involves the convergence of observers for repeat trails on the same set of arte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Archaeological and anthropological sciences Vol. 14; no. 10; p. 209
Main Authors:	Timbrell, Lucy, Scott, Christopher, Habte, Behailu, Tefera, Yosef, Monod, Hélène, Qazzih, Mouna, Marais, Benjamin, Black, Wendy, Maroma, Christine, Ndiema, Emmanuel, Henderson, Struan, Elmes, Katherine, Plomp, Kimberly, Grove, Matt
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-10-2022 Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:	Access Anthropology Archaeology Carbon footprint Chemistry/Food Science Collaboration Convergence Earth and Environmental Science Earth Sciences Geography Life Sciences Lithic Photography Research design Variability Metric measurements Stone tools Geometric morphometrics Inter-observer reliability 3D printing
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Summary:	Evaluating error that arises through the aggregation of data recorded by multiple observers is a key consideration in many metric and geometric morphometric analyses of stone tool shape. One of the most common approaches involves the convergence of observers for repeat trails on the same set of artefacts: however, this is logistically and financially challenging when collaborating internationally and/or at a large scale. We present and evaluate a unique alternative for testing inter-observer error, involving the development of 3D printed copies of a lithic reference collection for distribution among observers. With the aim of reducing error, clear protocols were developed for photographing and measuring the replicas, and inter-observer variability was assessed on the replicas in comparison with a corresponding data set recorded by a single observer. Our results demonstrate that, when the photography procedure is standardized and dimensions are clearly defined, the resulting metric and geometric morphometric data are minimally affected by inter-observer error, supporting this method as an effective solution for assessing error under collaborative research frameworks. Collaboration is becoming increasingly important within archaeological and anthropological sciences in order to increase the accessibility of samples, encourage dual-project development between foreign and local researchers and reduce the carbon footprint of collection-based research. This study offers a promising validation of a collaborative research design whereby researchers remotely work together to produce comparable data capturing lithic shape variability.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1866-9557 1866-9565
DOI:	10.1007/s12520-022-01676-2