...All of the “secrecy” was to maintain proper research protocols and documentation. Searches for this “iconic, mystical” bird have been conducted for the past sixty years, but previous sightings were not well documented. “From the 1950s through the 1970s serious researchers, big birders, had their careers ruined due to insufficient documentation,” she explains. Hence, the Cornell team’s firm commitment to maintaining the highest research standards.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The highest research standards
From an item about Sara Barker here (page 24):
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At the time of this writing, the Cornell team, one of whom did capture the elusive woodpecker on video, was back in the Arkansas swamps, seeking further visual evidence as well as attempting to record and identify the bird’s call using sophisticated computer technology and human ears.
Hmmmm. I wonder who told HB that somebody definitely had the bird on video? Perhaps Sarah, who knows all about the "highest research standards"?
Barker invites us to stay tuned.
We have, but there's nothing but static on that channel.
HB has asked Barker to talk with the student body next school year by which time she hopes that sightings of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker will have been scientifically confirmed.
Did that presentation ever occur? "Enquiring minds need to know."
Whatever the outcome, it will be a fascinating mystery tale.
We already know the outcome, and "tale" is the perfect word to use in this context.
Secrecy = You have something to hide, such as no hard evidence and poor research standards and you don't want any outside input because the overwhelming result will be "y'all (CLO et al.) are full of crap." How can we trust any other research (based on these high standards) coming out of CLO and their IBWO cronies? Censure would be a good way of re-establishing some standards.
Hey, this is just alumnae piffle. Not worth parsing.
I suspect the secrecy was largely motivated by their desire by the Science paper authors to maintain priority for making the rediscovery of the millenium. I don't think they were at all ashamed of their evidence although they should have been!
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