Within- and Among-Observer Variation in Measurements of Animal Biometrics and their Influence on Accurate Quantification of Common Biometric-Based Condition Indices

Goodenough, Anne E ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7662-6670, Stafford, Richard, Catlin-Groves, Christina L, Smith, Angela L and Hart, Adam G ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4795-9986 (2010) Within- and Among-Observer Variation in Measurements of Animal Biometrics and their Influence on Accurate Quantification of Common Biometric-Based Condition Indices. Annales Zoologici Fennici, 47 (5). pp. 323-334. doi:10.5735/086.047.0503

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Abstract

Research using biometric data relies on consistent measurements within, and often among, observers. However, research into the relative importance of intra- and inter-observer variability is limited. More importantly, the influence of biometric variability on accurate quantification of biometric-based condition indices has not been analysed: it is unclear whether multiple errors become magnified or cancel one another out. Here, we quantify intra- and inter-specific variability in multiple biometrics, and derived condition indices, using museum bird specimens. Inter-observer variability was higher than intra-observer variability for all parameters. Measurement error (ME) varied from < 1% to > 50% for different biometrics. ME was magnified in condition estimates, reaching > 80% within-observers and > 90% among-observers. Significant differences in mean measurements were found for 17% and 67% of biometrics within-and among-observers, respectively; for condition indices, the figures were 50% and 67%, respectively. We discuss the implications of these findings for research into species' ecology, taxonomy and behaviour.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education, Health and Sciences
Research Priority Areas:	Place, Environment and Community
Depositing User:	Anne Goodenough
Date Deposited:	03 May 2016 13:06
Last Modified:	17 Apr 2026 08:15
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/3345

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