Van der Veen et al , 2007 do include an interesting section on grey literature as a source of information and outline some of the problems they encountered in gleaning data from these reports. For example
'many such reports do not contain one or more of the following: exact location for the excavation from which
the samples derive (no grid reference, county, or nearest settlement), classification of the type of
site, dating evidence, context information, dating of each phase where samples are grouped by
phase, number of samples, etc'
This does not mean hard copy , it means presenting the information in a way the is useable for future research and study which it surely the purpose of a standard,
And now a rant: The information from biological remains is no less valuable than the plan of buildings and features from an intervention or the ceramics!
Gill
-----Original Message-----
From: The Forum for Information Standards in Heritage (FISH) [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Martin Locock
Sent: 19 August 2010 11:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [FISH] HEGEL - what a standard might look like
re: van der Veen
I think that the decision about what belongs in publication, in grey literature, and in archive has to be pragmatic one: it is interesting that van der Veen doesn't even mention grey literature as a place where the data sought might be found. It seems crazy to me to suggest that detailed information of value to maybe two or three researchers in a decade should go through the process and cost of printing and distribution in hundreds or thousands of copies.
Grey literature grew as a format to fill a perceived need
(pre-internet): it is unfortunate that we are still tied to it despite the potential of all sorts of other mechanisms for delivering some or all of its functions (for example why not just ask all palaoe specialists to deposit their full data sets with ADS?).
Martin
--
Martin Locock
Rheolwr Cymorth y Project Project Support Manager
Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru National Library of Wales
[log in to unmask] Ffôn / Phone 01970 632885
Un o lyfrgelloedd mawr y byd One of the great libraries of the world
http://www.llgc.org.uk/
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