40 ALES' HRDLIKA 



committed in reading the scale in a poor light, by defective eyes, on 

 instruments the scale markings of which have become dulled, and by 

 carelessness, than through all other agencies. One of the best rules 

 at this period is to make a double reading of each determination, and 

 after having finished and made records, to repeat all the measurements. 

 Nothing at this stage teaches as effectively as errors self-detected. 



Principles of Recording. Blanks. Every definite piece of anthro- 

 pometric research calls for a well reasoned out and organized scheme. 

 The student should be fully conscious of what he wants to ascertain. 

 The objects of any given piece of work are such and such, and to 

 attain them it will be most useful, or indispensable, to take such 

 and such measurements and observations. For the records of these 

 measurements and observations are arranged blanks on which they 

 are placed in the order of their importance, relation and best practical 

 sequence. Each blank is made so that it will serve, say, for twenty- 

 five cases (two giving us 50, four 100), and is then printed or otherwise 

 multiplied in sufficient numbers for the study at hand. A good blank 

 facilitates greatly the whole procedure of measuring and observation, 

 as well as the subsequent reduction of the data. 



The size of the blanks is of considerable importance. The individual 

 blanks for work on adults should not be larger than standard letter 

 size paper (roughly 21.5 x 27 cm. or 8J^ x 10 J^ in.). For all exten- 

 sive work they should be printed. For a regular piece of anthropo- 

 metric research more than one form will be required, and the separate 

 forms should be marked with consecutive numbers or letters. Each 

 blank bears an appropriate heading; is subdivided by seven horizontal 

 lines so as to afford space for the legends, for the measurements of 25 

 subjects, and a space below where the summaries of the measurements 

 or observations may be recorded. Each blank bears also a series of 

 vertical lines for the records of the individual measurements or observa- 

 tions. The width of the resulting columns is regulated by the needs 

 in each case, and should be ample enough to permit the making of 

 plainly legible records without crowding. In the case of visual 

 observations the records are of necessity and with advantage made by 

 abbreviations. The left margin of each blank bears two perforations 

 for binding. For a definite piece of work from four to six blanks of 

 each number, sufficient for 100 to 150 individuals, are bound or 

 clasped in loose-leaf covers, and each set is separated by a blotter. 



