confidence

[Michael Kellogg]

There do seem to be two separate considerations being discussed.  1)
The degree of confidence one has in identifications in museum
collections; and if I understand the original question, 2) the degree
of confidence a client can have in identifications produced by a
contract taxonomist(s).  I'm not sure any of the subjective point
systems discussed really address the latter.  If I were a client, I
would insist on intercalibration between independent taxonomists for a
certain percentage of samples/specimens.  My confidence would increase
if specimens were identified the same and decrease if they weren't.
Such a system could provide an objective way to evaluate the quality of
data produced.

Michael G. Kellogg
City and County of San Francisco
Bureau of Water Pollution Control
Oceanside Laboratory
3500 Great Highway
San Francisco, CA  94132
415-242-2218
mkellogg at ix.netcom.com