[Babase] GPS notes and subgroups
Niki Learn
nlearn at princeton.edu
Wed Sep 9 15:49:37 EDT 2009
Okay, I think this is the end of our conversation from the tail end of June
through 1st of July on the GPS subgroup data entry question (below). We all
agreed that everything except the GPS points for subgroups would still go
into the handwritten subgroup notes and this seems to be still occurring
just fine (though more extensive notes on Ositeti subgroups when they appear
in other group notes would be handy for figuring out who is in which group
and getting a better handle on fission dynamics). It was also agreed to put
an S at the end of GPS points that are taken for subgroups, which I think is
being more consistently implemented now than it was in the spring (yes,
Lacey?).
I see now which part was unresolved - how to link the GPS points to
particular subgroups. I just spoke to Catherine about this and she doesn't
think this can easily be done in the GPS device. Certainly if someone is
with a subgroup for a distinct chunk of time, as in the 4 Sept example of
CLF's, it makes sense to go ahead and put B for begin and E for end (and
maybe designate them as S1 and S2 and record which subgroup is which in the
written notes?). One thing this does not tell us is whether the group
began/ended or was found already in existence and then was left still in
existence at those times. This is another reason why consistency in the
handwritten notes is very important. What we both agree would be very
helpful is if start and end times spent with a subgroup were more
consistently recorded in the handwritten notes (currently there is a high
probability that one or both time is not recorded, which means a good deal
of cross referencing with both SWERB data and the handwritten notes would be
required to possibly tease out which subgroup the observers were with at any
given time). The team and other observers should also more consistently
note whether the subgroup was already present upon their arrival and
departure. As far as I can tell they usually make note of when a group
forms or rejoins while they are there but sometimes forget to note the time
(particularly on rejoin) and only sometimes specifically note that the group
was already formed or was still separate when they left - it would be good
to have this consistent so we can state with full confidence whether the
group was in existence before and after the recorded start and end times.
Lacey, would consistently including start and end times in the handwritten
notes (along with group composition, group formation/rejoining, group
location, etc.) eliminate the need for the GPS notes you have been seeing or
is there other oddball information in there that would not normally be
written in the subgroup notes?
Thanks - hope this helps.
Niki
Susan wrote:
Points:
1. Other groups notes will not change in the way they are taken. The team
will still hand write all inter group encounters, will still hand write the
GPS readings that are associated with intergroup encounters, will still note
when other groups use resources (water, groves). The only thing that will
change is that when a GPS reading is taken solely on an "other group
sighting" (not an intergroup encounter) it will be entered as a waypoint,
rather than written in the notebooks. Sounds OK?
2. Subgroups: Yes they have been consistently recording formation,
composition and dissolution of subgroups when they detect them. This has not
slipped. They have done nothing about location of subgroups.
3. Jeanne said: WE CAN'T TELL FROM THIS HOW THEY RECORD THEIR COMINGS AND
GOINGS BETWEEN
>
> SUBGROUPS NOW OR THE LOCATIONS OF THE SUBGROUPS. IN OTHER WORDS, IS
> THAT INFORMATION BEING RECORDED IN THE HANDWRITTEN RECORDS, JUST NOT
> IN THE GPS RECORDS, OR NOT RELIABLY RECORDED AT ALL?
It is not recorded at all.
We could not think of any easy and natural way to record this information
(and are not sure exactly what information would be recorded).
What would you suggest?
Katherine wrote:
The decisions on the Other Group notes sound terrific - I'm excited about
that plan. Also, that's wonderful confirmation regarding the consistency of
record keeping with the hand-written Subgroup notes - thanks!
I'm stumped on a quick and easy way to record this. Jeanne mentioned
yesterday that it could be queried after data collection by checking which
animals were the subject of focal follow-throughs against membership lists
for each of the subgroups. The only time I think that wouldn't work is when
the team moves between subgroups throughout the day, whether for
observations or just GPS readings. I'm not sure how often the team tries to
sample both subgroups on days when a group breaks apart, though - maybe it
is uncommon enough to not be a concern?
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