Flexibility by Design: How Mobile GIS Meets the Needs of Archaeological Survey

It may state two separate claims as one.

Mountain summits, trails that may follow pre-Hispanic trade routes, and other environmental features were mapped during the Colca survey.

“Mountain summits, trails that may follow pre-Hispanic trade routes, and other such environmental features were also mapped.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Mobile GIS allows researchers to transport digital datasets into the field so that they can do error checking immediately, review the work of other research teams, and perform queries on large existing volumes of data.

“Finally, mobile GIS allows researchers to transport digital datasets into the field so that they can do error checking immediately, review the work of other research teams, and perform queries on large existing volumes of data.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

After four months of fieldwork in the Upper Colca Survey, 1100 spatial provenance numbers had been assigned from the single number series.

“After four months of fieldwork, 1100 spatial provenance numbers had been assigned from the series.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Backing up the new vector data was simply a matter of copying the 2 MB editing data directory to a CompactFlash card using the PocketPC file explorer.

“Backing up the new vector data was simply a matter of copying the 2 MB editing data directory to a Com-pactFlash card using the PocketPC file explorer.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

A principal challenge in preparing digital forms for archaeology was in making them general enough to accommodate wide variability in phenomena, yet narrow enough to be attributed quickly, using meaningful data categories.

“A principal challenge in preparing digital forms for archaeology was in making them general enough to accommodate wide variability in phenomena, yet narrow enough to be attributed quickly, using meaningful data categories.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

In designing for archaeological research it was determined that pull-down menus (ComboBoxes) are the most space-efficient interface controls; they minimized the need for typing so they were used extensively.

“In designing for archaeological research it was determined that pull-down menus (ComboBoxes) are the most space-efficient interface controls; they minimized the need for typing so they were used extensively (Figure 4).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Because loci were more narrowly defined than sites, all loci fell inside the sites.

“Because loci were more narrowly defined than sites, all loci fell inside the sites.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Aside from the site datum points and site boundary polygons, three dominant feature types characterized the archaeological data set in the mobile GIS.

“Aside from the site datum points and site boundary polygons, three dominant feature types characterized the archaeological data set in the mobile GIS.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Each piece of equipment requires care, battery life is a constant concern, and data management responsibilities become more complex.

“Each piece of equipment requires care, battery life is a constant concern, and data management responsibilities become more complex.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

A common resolution to time-constrained data recording is to gather the minimum valid sample; however, time does not even permit sampling at every archaeological site.

“A com- mon resolution to time-constrained data recording is to gather the minimum valid sample; however, time does not even permit sampling at every archaeological site.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Isolated artifacts are sometimes recorded outside of sites, but due to time constraints isolated artifacts were only recorded when they were unusually interesting.

“Isolated artifacts are sometimes recorded outside of sites, but due to time constraints isolated artifacts were only recorded when they were unusually interesting.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

This project was primarily a surface survey, where the spatial accuracy of current GPS and GIS technology proved to be sufficient to map archaeological distributions at a much finer resolution and level of detail than was feasible without the use of a mobile GIS.

“This project was primarily a surface survey, where the spatial accuracy of current GPS and GIS technology proved to be sufficient to map archaeological distributions at a much finer resolution and level of detail than was feasible without the use of a mobile GIS.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

There was insufficient time for sampling at every artifact concentration, and therefore component probabilities were estimated rapidly by fieldworkers according to the priorities of the research.

“There was insufficient time for sampling at every artifact concentration, and therefore component probabilities were estimated rapidly by fieldworkers according to the priorities of the research.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

As with many GIS projects, regional digital data first had to be assembled or created because there were no prepared GIS datasets available for the study area in rural Peru.

“As with many GIS projects, regional digital data first had to be assembled or created because there were no prepared GIS datasets available for the study area in rural Peru.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

A knowledge gap inevitably grows during the course of the field season between the mobile GIS users who control the database, and the rest of the team who get information secondhand.

“Furthermore, a knowledge gap inevitably grows during the course of the field season between the mobile GIS users who control the database, and the rest of the team who get information secondhand.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Mobile GIS allows researchers to record new vector data along with attribute forms that are more flexible than those provided by GPS, or by data dictionary approaches in the past.

“Second, mobile GIS allows researchers to record new vector data along with attribute forms that are more flexible than those provided by GPS, or by data dictionary approaches in the past.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Each artifact locus contained a significant amount of variability inside the polygon, so the features were described in terms of estimates of their dominant and secondary components, as determined by the archaeologists reviewing the site.

“Each artifact locus contained a significant amount of variability inside the polygon, so the features were described in terms of estimates of their dominant and secondary components, as determined by the archaeologists reviewing the site.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

There are statistical weaknesses to the method described, and reliability or repeatability is low, but the technique used is considerably more effective than the older method for site recording in a given period of time.

“There are statistical weaknesses to the method described, and reliability or repeatability is low, but the technique used is considerably more effective than the older method for site recording in a given period of time.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The custom mobile GIS configuration described here permits archaeologists to record the spatial structure of surface sites using a variety of geometry types and to generalize about the variability within the distributions as needed.

“The custom mobile GIS configuration described here permits archaeologists to record the spatial structure of surface sites using a variety of geometry types and to generalize about the variability within the distributions as needed.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

While camping out at high altitude the life of the instruments' batteries was a critical concern, and therefore batteries were conserved at every opportunity by turning off the Pocket PC backlighting, leaving the equipment off when it was not in use, and by keeping batteries warm at night in sleeping bags.

“While camping out at high altitude the life of the instruments' batteries was a critical concern, and therefore batteries were conserved at every opportunity by turning off the Pocket PC backlighting, leaving the equipment off when it was not in use, and by keeping batteries warm at night in sleeping bags.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

During survey work in the Colca area, a separate set of GIS data consisting of nonarchaeological data was collected.

“During survey work in the Colca area, a separate set of GIS data was collected that consisted of nonarchaeological data.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Since GPS accuracy was found to be approximately 1.2 m, it was decided at the beginning of the Colca survey that it was not worth mapping features less than 3 m across as polygons, and that for such small polygons an individual point should be mapped instead.

“Since GPS accuracy was found to be approximately 1.2 m, it was decided at the beginning of the Colca survey that it was not worth mapping features less than 3 m across as polygons, and that for such small polygons an individual point should be mapped instead.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The Upper Colca Survey used a spatial provenience system expressly designed to make the most of mobile GIS record keeping; the team prioritized mapping artifact concentrations as loci within archaeological sites and then tracked the loci with their artifacts through unique ID numbers.

“The Upper Colca Survey used a spatial provenience system expressly designed to make the most of mobile GIS record keeping; the team prioritized mapping artifact concentrations as loci within archaeological sites and then tracked the loci with their artifacts through unique ID numbers (see numbering in Figures 3b and 5a).”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

During the Upper Colca Survey it was not practical to pack a laptop up to the high altitude camp at 4900 m.

“For example, during the Upper Colca Survey it was not practical to pack a laptop up to the high altitude camp at 4900 m.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The method of documenting a primary and secondary component type for a locus worked for a rapid inventory and produced a general estimation of materials, their characteristics, and densities within loci during the Upper Colca Survey.

“The method worked for a rapid inventory, and a general estimation of materials, and their characteristics and densities within loci was produced.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

A link to a separate application that permitted MP3 compression of voice-based comments was available, but because the processor demands of sound encoding overly hampered the functionality of the Pocket PC for the GIS application, the feature went unused.

“A link to a separate application that permitted MP3 compression of voice-based comments was available as well, but because the processor demands of sound encoding overly hampered the functionality of the Pocket PC for the GIS application, the feature went unused.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

As research progressed throughout the season, the knowledge gap increased because all new data were logged into the mobile GIS, but it was impractical to print out detail maps showing data distributions for team members without access to the computer.

“As research progressed throughout the season, this gap increased because all the new data were logged into the mobile GIS, but it was impractical to print out detail maps showing data distributions for the team members without access to the computer.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Thousands of digital photos, including stitched panorama photos, were taken during the Colca survey.

“Thousands of digital photos were taken, including a number of stitched panorama photos.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The small screen, the inability to read the screen with sunglasses on, the fragility of the system, and concern for GPS battery life made working with the Pocket PC in the Colca more of an experiment than a viable replacement for paper.

“The small screen, the inability to read the screen with sunglasses on, the fragility of the system, and above all the concern for GPS battery life, made working with the Pocket PC in the Colca more of an experiment than a viable replacement for paper.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Pre-fieldwork testing of data attribution forms is an important step, particularly if there is flexibility designed into the recording system.

“Pre-fieldwork testing of data attribution forms is an important step, particularly if there is flexibility designed into the recording system.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Recent versions of mobile GIS software allow researchers with limited programming skills to tailor the software to the priorities and theoretical needs of individual research projects.

“Recent versions of mobile GIS software allow researchers with limited programming skills to tailor the software to the priorities and theoretical needs of individual research projects.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

Reference data such as the DEM layer, scanned maps, and environmental data are a relatively large static dataset that remain mostly unchanged throughout the field season.

“Reference data such as the DEM layer, scanned maps, and environmental data are a relatively large static dataset that remain mostly unchanged throughout the field season.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Mobile GIS eases the link between fieldwork and field collection of lab samples and facilitates more rapid analysis and dissemination of findings from new data.

“This eases the link between fieldwork and field collection of lab samples and facilitates more rapid analysis and dissemination of findings from new data.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Mobile GIS will transform the methodology of field research in many disciplines such that researchers will be able to graphically explore, summarize, and compare their data in the field, and thereby improve the practice of their fieldwork in an iterative manner.

“This will transform the methodology of field research in many disciplines such that researchers will be able to graphically explore, summarize, and compare their data in the field, and thereby improve the practice of their fieldwork in an iterative manner.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The logical organization of the interface can be tested through simulated data acquisition prior to fieldwork.

“The logical organization of the interface can be tested through simulated data acquisition prior to fieldwork.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

Depending on the research needs in a given situation, data recording can be expedient or thorough, and data acquisition forms can be designed to emphasize flexibility for varied or unpredictable field conditions.

“Depending on the research needs in a given situation, data recording can be expedient or thorough, and data acquisition forms can be designed to emphasize flexibility for varied or unpredictable field conditions.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The workflow is reversed because the geometry of the feature must be mapped before any attributes are assigned to the feature.

“The workflow is thus reversed because the geometry of the feature must be mapped before any attributes are assigned to the feature.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Maintaining a separate folder of edited data makes it convenient to back up the work frequently.

“Maintaining a separate folder of edited data makes it convenient to back up the work frequently.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The implementation issues faced by an archaeological survey project using mobile GIS are relevant to most scientific fieldwork and resource management projects seeking to record and manage field data digitally.

“The implementation issues faced by an archaeological survey project using mobile GIS are relevant to most scientific fieldwork and resource management projects seeking to record and manage field data digitally.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

Interface designs involve making a compromise between research needs, the intuitive user interface, and the technical limitations of mobile GIS equipment.

“Interface designs involve making a compromise between research needs, the intuitive user interface, and the technical limitations of mobile GIS equipment.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Warnings from logic-based error checking could significantly reduce simple mistakes in field recording.

“Warnings from logic-based error checking could significantly reduce simple mistakes in field recording.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Over the past two decades GIS has proven valuable in a number of archaeological applications.

“Over the past two decades GIS has proven valuable in a number of archaeological applications (Aldenderfer and Maschner 1996;Allen et al. 1990;Kvamme 1999;Maschner 1996;Wheatley and Gillings 2002).”

• cites Aldenderfer and Maschner 1996Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Allen et al. 1990Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Kvamme 1999 sourceNot checked yet

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

With the availability of commercial mobile GIS products such as ESRI's Arcpad, research projects are commonly using mobile software out of the box to supplement existing field methods.

“With the availability of commercial mobile GIS products such as ESRI's Arcpad, research projects are commonly using mobile software out of the box to supplement existing field methods.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Forms need to be tested to determine if data are being stored in the proper data formats and to make sure that any errors in the forms and associated scripts are resolved while tech support services are still available.

“Forms need to be tested to determine if data are being stored in the proper data formats and to make sure that any errors in the forms and associated scripts are resolved while tech support services are still available.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The improved level of detail provided by mapping and attributing using a mobile GIS makes archaeological survey more theoretically rigorous as well.

“The improved level of detail provided by mapping and attributing using a mobile GIS makes archaeological survey more theoretically rigorous as well.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

There are added challenges because the conventional ways of organizing archaeological data do not always lend themselves to a GIS-based data structure.

“There are added challenges, however, because, as many are finding, the conventional ways of organizing archaeological data do not always lend themselves to a GIS-based data structure.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Forms should be tested to see if the organization of the interface conforms to real-world fieldwork situations.

“Forms should be tested to see if the organization of the interface conforms to real-world fieldwork situations.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

As with traditional paper-based forms, the digital form is intended to expedite the recording process, prompt researchers to record appropriate data, and generate comparable and consistent data for each record.

“As with traditional paper-based forms, the digital form is intended to expedite the recording process, prompt researchers to record appropriate data, and generate comparable and consistent data for each record.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Edited data are a smaller collection of vector files edited during daily fieldwork that ought to be backed up frequently.

“Edited data, on the other hand, are a smaller collection of vector files edited during daily fieldwork that ought to be backed up frequently.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.

Archaeological research provides a good test of the capabilities of mobile GIS because the data are complex, the field conditions are generally rigorous, and the GIS needs to have an accessible interface in order to be learned by a research team.

“Archaeological research provides a good test of the capabilities of mobile GIS because the data are complex, the field conditions are generally rigorous, and the GIS needs to have an accessible interface in order to be learned by a research team.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

A project organized around mobile GIS units can accommodate the recent increase in complex digital data gathered during fieldwork, such as GPS information and digital photography, while simultaneously making available pre-existing digital datasets to fieldworkers.

“A project organized around mobile GIS units can accommodate the recent increase in complex digital data gathered during fieldwork, such as GPS information and digital photography, while simultaneously making available pre-existing digital datasets to fieldworkers.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Many field projects will benefit from the ability to bring their large digital datasets with them into the field.

“Many field projects will benefit from the ability to bring their large digital datasets with them into the field.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

In addition to facilitating the recording and attributing of phenomena, mobile GIS can empower researchers by providing access to statistical tools while still in the field.

“In addition to facilitating the recording and attributing of phenomena, mobile GIS can empower researchers by providing access to statistical tools while still in the field.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

The limited screen size of most mobile GIS devices requires that attribution forms are organized onto small pages, but these pages can be structured to match the data acquisition stream of the field measurements.

“The limited screen size of most mobile GIS devices requires that attribution forms are organized onto small pages, but these pages can be structured to match the data acquisition stream of the field measurements.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Mobile GIS can function as a digital data retrieval and display device that is versatile and multi-scaled.

“Mobile GIS can also function as a digital data retrieval and display device that is versatile and multi-scaled.”

Probably not a substantial claim.

Despite the potential of these technologies there are numerous obstacles to using mobile GIS in rough fieldwork conditions.

“Despite the potential of these technologies there are numerous obstacles to using mobile GIS in rough fieldwork conditions.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

The customizability of mobile GIS permits researchers to prioritize elements of data acquisition that are deemed important and to expedite data acquisition for less important features.

“The customizability of mobile GIS permits researchers to prioritize elements of data acquisition that are deemed important and to expedite data acquisition for less important features.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

There are limitations to what can be learned from surface sites because they are frequently disturbed and often have temporally and spatially mixed archaeological features, so above all survey recording involves balancing time commitments while recording sites.

“There are limitations to what can be learned from surface sites because they are frequently disturbed and often have temporally and spatially mixed archaeological features, so above all survey recording involves balancing time commitments while recording sites.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Surface archaeological sites are frequently disturbed and often have temporally and spatially mixed archaeological features.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Thorough testing of the data workflow is critical at this early phase so that valuable research time is not wasted.

“Thorough testing of the data workflow is critical at this early phase so that valuable research time is not wasted.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

The implementation of ESRI Arcpad 6 in a high-altitude archaeological survey project in Peru presented challenges to the mobile GIS system that are perhaps common to many mobile GIS-based scientific fieldwork projects.

“In this study, the implementation of ESRI Arcpad 6 in a high-altitude archaeological survey project in Peru presented challenges to the mobile GIS system that are perhaps common to many mobile GIS-based scientific fieldwork projects.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Fieldwork applications require flexible and easily customizable interface designs in order to permit more rapid attribution of GIS data and to encourage the deployment of new tools for fieldwork in remote research situations.

“Fieldwork applications require flexible and easily customizable interface designs in order to permit more rapid attribution of Geographic Information Science (GIS) data and to encourage the deployment of new tools for fieldwork in remote research situations.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

When researchers and managers can customize their software without being computer programmers, they can personally design a user interface for their research equipment that prioritizes aspects of fieldwork that are important to the theoretical goals of the project.

“When researchers and managers can customize their software without being computer programmers, they can personally design a user interface for their research equipment that prioritizes aspects of fieldwork that are important to the theoretical goals of the project.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

By giving researchers access to large digital datasets and spatial analysis tools while in the field, mobile GIS facilitates the data acquisition process and can contribute to the quality and the efficiency of fieldwork.

“By giving researchers access to large digital datasets and spatial analysis tools while in the field, mobile GIS facilitates the data acquisition process and can contribute to the quality and the efficiency of fieldwork.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Projects using multiple mobile GIS units will want to familiarize themselves completely with this process prior to gathering real data because of the increased potential for overwriting or otherwise losing new data when numerous machines are involved.

“Projects using multiple mobile GIS units will want to familiarize themselves completely with this process prior to gathering real data because of the increased potential for overwriting or otherwise losing new data when numerous machines are involved.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Technical support services are usually far away from the field site, and so mobile GIS designs must be robust.

“Technical support services are usually far away from the field site, and so mo-bile GIS designs must be robust.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Archaeological sites on the surface are the complement to excavation because the sites are easier to locate and document, and therefore the strength of archaeological survey data is in statistical generalizations that derive from large, but often expedient, survey projects.

“Archaeological sites on the surface are the complement to excavation because the sites are easier to locate and document, and therefore the strength of archaeological survey data is in statistical generalizations that derive from large, but often expedient, survey projects.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Archaeological sites on the surface are easier to locate and document than subsurface excavations.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Researchers are developing models that interact with mobile GIS units in ways that improve field data acquisition.

“Researchers are also developing models that interact with mobile GIS units in ways that improve field data acquisition.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

There are analytical limitations to surface archaeological distributions that justify a certain degree of expediency when recording sites that are less relevant to the thrust of the research.

“There are analytical limitations to surface archaeological distributions that justify a certain degree of expediency when recording sites that are less relevant to the thrust of the research.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Data exploration, both in the field on mobile units and back at the laboratory using mobile GIS acquired data, is much improved.

“Data exploration, both in the field on mobile units, and back at the laboratory using mobile GIS acquired data, is much improved.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

Many limitations of mobile GIS encountered on fieldwork are a consequence of the novelty of the technology and undeveloped potential for various instruments and cameras to interact wirelessly.

“Many of the limitations of mobile GIS encountered on fieldwork are a consequence of the novelty of the technology, and undeveloped potential for the various instruments and cameras to interact wirelessly.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The budgetary expense of curating artifacts makes in-field analysis an attractive alternative to systematic collection, particularly for isolated sites that are unlikely to be disturbed.

“Additionally, the budgetary expense of curating artifacts makes in-field analysis an attractive alternative to systematic collection, particularly for isolated sites that are unlikely to be disturbed.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Curating artifacts is budgetarily expensive.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Statistical summaries and visualization applications would have proved useful during the Upper Colca Survey.

“Statistical summaries and visualization applications, although not yet available in mobile GIS platforms, would have proved useful during the Upper Colca Survey.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Most mobile GIS systems use a relatively private interface that fosters a top-down relationship within the team, unlike paper documents and map sheets which can be consulted and pointed at in a group.

“Unlike paper documents and map sheets, which can be consulted and pointed at in a group as the daily strategy is determined, most mobile GIS systems use a relatively private interface that fosters instead a top-down relationship within the team.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Statistical indices, such as the degree of spatial autocorrelation among particular classes of data, would be useful to know in the field.

“Statistical indices, such as the degree of spatial autocorrelation among particular classes of data, would be useful to know in the field.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.

Scientists bringing mobile GIS into the field are bringing miniature computer labs and will potentially have to tackle scripting and networking problems with limited access to technical support services.

“Instead of a simple mercury thermometer, a tape measure, and a log book, for example, scientists are bringing miniature computer labs into the field and will potentially have to tackle scripting and networking problems with limited access to technical support services.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Every surveyor without a mobile GIS unit is at a disadvantage.

“As mentioned, scanning the paper maps into the mobile GIS can ease the communication gap between the two systems but, ultimately, every surveyor without a mobile GIS unit is at a disadvantage.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

It would be difficult to argue that orienteering and data acquisition into a tiny Pocket PC was as intuitive or pleasurable as using a map.

“Despite the analytical and organizational advantages of digital record-keeping and map display, it would be difficult to argue that orienteering and data acquisition into a tiny Pocket PC was as intuitive or pleasurable as using a map.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

A major concern with added computer complexity and the potential for greater raw data accumulation is that the theoretical goals of research can be overlooked in the deluge of data made possible with mobile GIS.

“A major concern with added computer complexity and the potential for greater raw data accumulation is that the theoretical goals of the research can be overlooked in the deluge of data that are made possible with mobile GIS.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

Flexible interface designs are needed for applications such as archaeology, and with greater flexibility comes reduced predictability in the circumstances in which data will be acquired.

“However, flexible interface designs are needed for applications such as archaeology, and with greater flexibility comes reduced predictability in the circumstances in which data will be acquired.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. It may state two separate claims as one.

Mobile GIS has tremendous potential and will probably define the way field research is done in the 21st century, but it presents new hurdles that are foreign even to expert GIS users familiar with solving problems in a laboratory.

“Mobile GIS has tremendous potential and will probably define the way field research is done in the 21st century, but it presents new hurdles that are foreign even to expert GIS users who are familiar with solving problems in a laboratory.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

The principal challenges for those bringing mobile GIS to their field research settings will revolve around flexible data acquisition, reliable designs, and retaining a focus on the larger research issues despite the many technical details under consideration.

“The principal challenges for those bringing mobile GIS to their field research settings will revolve around the issues of flexible data acquisition, reliable designs, and retaining a focus on the larger research issues despite the many technical details under consideration.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence.

The variety of data types determined to be worth recording during the Upper Colca Survey underscores the need for individual flexibility in interface design for mobile GIS.

“The variety of data types that were determined to be worth recording during this survey project underscores the need for individual flexibility in interface design for mobile GIS.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Site documentation strategies can make the most of the rapid mapping capability of GPS by estimating the characteristics of artifacts within polygons, and by sampling and collecting from the more important features for later analysis.

“Site documentation strategies can make the most of the rapid mapping capability of GPS by estimating the characteristics of artifacts within polygons, and by sampling and collecting from the more important features for later analysis.”

It may state two separate claims as one.

Transporting complex datasets from the field site back to the lab is made possible by mobile GIS, such that analysis can increasingly take place in the field and artifacts can remain in their original spatial context.

“Transporting complex datasets the other direction -from the field site back to the lab is also made possible, such that analysis can increasingly take place in the field and artifacts can remain in their original spatial context.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The focus on data accumulation and on technically complex research equipment can lead to field researchers becoming computer experts at the expense of more traditional subject matter expertise.

“The focus on data accumulation and on technically complex research equipment can lead to field researchers becoming computer experts at the expense of more traditional subject matter expertise.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may state two separate claims as one.

Mobile GIS is an integrative system that transports the complexity of modern computing to isolated field locations, in contrast to the existing paradigm of field equipment where a quiver of reliable instruments is brought into the field so that each does one job and does it well.

“In contrast to the existing paradigm of field equipment, where a quiver of reliable instruments is brought into the field so that each does one job and does it well, mobile GIS is an integrative system that transports the complexity of modern computing to isolated field locations.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The existing paradigm of field equipment is a quiver of reliable instruments brought into the field so that each does one job and does it well.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds. It may state two separate claims as one.

Many problems that plagued early adopters of mobile GIS technology have been solved: rugged mobile GIS hardware is widely available, solar and other energy cell development is advancing, and CD burners and Flash RAM largely solve data backup problems.

“Many problems that plagued early adopters of the technology have been solved: rugged mobile GIS hardware is widely available, solar and other energy cell development is advancing, and CD burners and Flash RAM largely solve data backup problems.”

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

If researchers were able to investigate new spatial data in conjunction with existing datasets using exploratory data analysis while in the field, it would open up new research strategies combining information from existing digital datasets.

“Were researchers able to investigate new spatial data in conjunction with existing datasets using the exploratory data analysis approach (Tukey 1977) -while they are in the field it would open up new research strategies combining information from and existing digital datasets.”

• cites Tukey 1977Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. It may be too vague to check against evidence. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

The ability to estimate spatial variation measured on archaeological variables would have been useful in selecting sampling strategies and for placing test excavation units.

“The ability to estimate spatial variation measured on archaeological variables would have been useful in selecting the sampling strategies and for placing test excavation units (Hodder and Orton 1976;Redman 1987).”

• cites Hodder and Orton 1976Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Redman 1987 sourceNot checked yet

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Geostatistical methods such as kriging may have application in fieldwork contexts if those tools are available in mobile GIS systems.

“Geostatistical methods such as kriging, familiar to archaeologists in lab analysis (Lloyd and Atkinson 2004), may have application in fieldwork contexts as well should those tools be available in mobile GIS systems.”

• cites Lloyd and Atkinson 2004Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. The paper may give no reason why it holds.

As legislative requirements surrounding research in archaeology become more restricted in many parts of the world, some kind of computerized record-keeping system for in-field analyses is almost mandatory.

“As the legislative requirements surrounding research in archaeology are becoming more and more restricted in many parts of the world, some kind of a computerized record-keeping system for in-field analyses is almost mandatory.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Legislative requirements surrounding research in archaeology are becoming more and more restricted in many parts of the world.

Probably not a substantial claim.

The ability to transport complex datasets into the field means resource managers have access to a variety of specialized field data that may otherwise exceed their knowledge.

“The ability to transport complex datasets into the field means that resource managers have access to a variety of specialized field data that may otherwise exceed their knowledge.”

Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.

Minor benefits of mobile GIS, such as a time and date stamp associated with every measurement, augment data being gathered in unobtrusive ways.

“Minor benefits of mobile GIS, such as a time and date stamp associated with every measurement, augment the data that are being gathered in unobtrusive ways.”