Pedigree Matrix for Observational Uncertainty Analysis (Ellis
et al., 2000a, 200b).
|
Score
|
Statistical
quality
|
Empirical
quality
|
Methodological
quality
|
|
4
|
Excellent
fit to a well-known statistical model (Normal, Lognormal, Binomial etc.) |
Controlled experiments & large sample direct measurements (n > 50). |
Approved
standard in well-established discipline. |
|
3
|
Good
fit to a reliable statistical model by most fitting tests, but not all |
Historical/field
data, uncontrolled experiments, small sample direct measurements (n < 50) |
Reliable
method, common within discipline |
|
2
|
Fitting
tests not significant, model not clearly related to data, or model inferred
from similar data |
Modeled
data, indirect measurements, handbook estimates |
Acceptable
method, but limited consensus on reliability |
|
1
|
No
statistical tests or fitting, subjective model |
Educated
guesses, very indirect approximations, "rule of thumb" estimates |
Unproven
methods, questionable reliability |
|
0
|
Ignorance
model (Uniform) |
Pure
guesses |
Purely
subjective method |
Ellis, E.C., R.G. Li, L.Z. Yang, X. Cheng, Long-term change in village-scale
ecosystems in China using landscape and statistical methods. Ecological Applications,
10 (4), 2000a, pp. 1057-1073.
Ellis, E.C., R.G. Li, L.Z. Yang, X. Cheng, Changes in Village-scale nitrogen
storage in China's Tai Lake region. Ecological Applications, 10 (4),
2000b, pp. 1074-1096.
