Digitizing Field Notebooks in Paleontology
Location
Room 232, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
75
Start Date
4-5-2023 8:30 AM
End Date
4-5-2023 8:45 AM
College
Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
In paleontology, record keeping is imperative, because of how quickly field environments change. This record keeping is traditionally done through the form of written notes and digital images. The problem this study addresses is that many new forms of technology are being developed. Digital field notebooks are a way to combine practices from earlier techniques with current evolution of technology in scientific fields. Many problems arise when taking field notes by hand. Field notebooks without digital images incorporated into notebooks but stored elsewhere are difficult to follow or interpret for a person not involved in such research. When using this form of just written record keeping it allows for misinterpretation by people who are keeping the notebook. With each year that passes, paleontologists and those alike have issues in regards to collaborating using field notes. The scope of this project is to use one main system of organization to store data collected in the span of a 3 week paleontology dig. The system of organization that was used was a program called Nebo. The main form of technology that was used to store information collected was a third generation IPad Air. A Canon DSLR Camera was used to ensure quality of photos from farther distances. Each day notes were taken in the Nebo program with media, notes, time stamps, and descriptions of the progress made in the day. After each week an evaluation of the approach of that week was made and a plan was crafted on how to improve it in the following week. After the dig was concluded results showed both benefits and limitations of using a digitized field notebook. However based upon the results this study concluded that even with the limitations listed being able to digitize field notes is a more efficient way of record keeping.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Brooke Haiar
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Digitizing Field Notebooks in Paleontology
Room 232, Schewel Hall
In paleontology, record keeping is imperative, because of how quickly field environments change. This record keeping is traditionally done through the form of written notes and digital images. The problem this study addresses is that many new forms of technology are being developed. Digital field notebooks are a way to combine practices from earlier techniques with current evolution of technology in scientific fields. Many problems arise when taking field notes by hand. Field notebooks without digital images incorporated into notebooks but stored elsewhere are difficult to follow or interpret for a person not involved in such research. When using this form of just written record keeping it allows for misinterpretation by people who are keeping the notebook. With each year that passes, paleontologists and those alike have issues in regards to collaborating using field notes. The scope of this project is to use one main system of organization to store data collected in the span of a 3 week paleontology dig. The system of organization that was used was a program called Nebo. The main form of technology that was used to store information collected was a third generation IPad Air. A Canon DSLR Camera was used to ensure quality of photos from farther distances. Each day notes were taken in the Nebo program with media, notes, time stamps, and descriptions of the progress made in the day. After each week an evaluation of the approach of that week was made and a plan was crafted on how to improve it in the following week. After the dig was concluded results showed both benefits and limitations of using a digitized field notebook. However based upon the results this study concluded that even with the limitations listed being able to digitize field notes is a more efficient way of record keeping.