ALBERT

Description: The operator effect is a well-known analytical bias already quantified in some taphonomic studies. However, the influence of operator bias in the replicability on taphonomic studies has still not been considered. Here, we quantified for the first time this bias using different multivariate statistical techniques, testing if the operator effect is related to the replicability. We analyzed the results reported by 15 operators working on the same dataset. Each operator analyzed 30 bioclasts (bivalve shells) by site, from a total of five sites, considering the following taphonomic attributes: shell fragmentation, edge rounding, corrasion, bioerosion, and color alteration. The operator effect followed the same pattern reported in previous studies, characterized by a worse correspondence for those attributes having more than two levels of damage categories. However, the effect did not appear to have relation to replicability, because nearly all operators found differences among sites. The binary attribute bioerosion exhibited 83% of correspondence among operators, but at the same time, it was the taphonomic attribute that showed the highest dispersion among operators (28%). Therefore, we concluded that binary attributes, despite indicating a reduction of the operator effect diminishes replicability, result in different interpretations of concordant data. We found that a variance value of nearly 8% among operators was enough to generate a different taphonomic interpretation, in a Q-mode cluster analysis. The results reported here showed that the statistical method employed influences the level of replicability and comparability of a study and that the availability of results may be a valid alternative to reduce bias.

Description: The microwave radiometer HATPRO has seven K band (22.235-31.4 GHz) channels that are sensitive to the path integrated amount of cloud liquid water (clwvi) and the path integrated amount of water vapor (precipitable water, prw). These files contain clwvi as a function of measurement time, elevation and azimuth angle observing direction. clwvi is based on multi-variate regression retrievals (see also Crewell and Löhnert, 2003; doi:10.1029/2002RS002654). Provided uncertainties describe the expected standard error of clwvi. Note, that clwvi values are given for all available times so that it is up to the user to decide whether or not to use the values if quality flags are set. Additionally included are temperature, pressure and humidity at the instrument location as well quality flags characterizing the instrument and retrieval performance.

Description: The microwave radiometer HATPRO has seven K band (22.235-31.4 GHz) channels that are sensitive to the path integrated amount of cloud liquid water (clwvi) and the path integrated amount of water vapor (precipitable water, prw). These files contain prw as a function of measurement time, elevation and azimuth angle observing direction. prw is based on multi-variate regression retrievals (see also Crewell and Löhnert, 2003; doi:10.1029/2002RS002654). Provided uncertainties describe the expected standard error of prw. Note, that prw values are given for all available times so that it is up to the user to decide whether or not to use the values if quality flags are set. Additionally included are temperature, pressure and humidity at the instrument location as well quality flags characterizing the instrument and retrieval performance.

Description: The microwave radiometer HATPRO has seven K band (22.235-31.4 GHz) channels that are sensitive to the path integrated amount of cloud liquid water (clwvi) and the path integrated amount of water vapor (precipitable water, prw). These files contain clwvi as a function of measurement time, elevation and azimuth angle observing direction. clwvi is based on multi-variate regression retrievals (see also Crewell and Löhnert, 2003; doi:10.1029/2002RS002654). Provided uncertainties describe the expected standard error of clwvi. Note, that clwvi values are given for all available times so that it is up to the user to decide whether or not to use the values if quality flags are set. Additionally included are temperature, pressure and humidity at the instrument location as well quality flags characterizing the instrument and retrieval performance.

Description: The microwave radiometer HATPRO has seven K band (22.235-31.4 GHz) channels that are sensitive to the path integrated amount of cloud liquid water (clwvi) and the path integrated amount of water vapor (precipitable water, prw). These files contain prw as a function of measurement time, elevation and azimuth angle observing direction. prw is based on multi-variate regression retrievals (see also Crewell and Löhnert, 2003; doi:10.1029/2002RS002654). Provided uncertainties describe the expected standard error of prw. Note, that prw values are given for all available times so that it is up to the user to decide whether or not to use the values if quality flags are set. Additionally included are temperature, pressure and humidity at the instrument location as well quality flags characterizing the instrument and retrieval performance.