11th November 2005, 01:11 AM
I think I agree with both Eggy and Mercenary.
The detailed stratigraphic description is important, and should be written before doing any of the discussion and interpretation bits. So far, so good Mercenary.
However, for the practical user of (for instance) a trial trenching report, it is better for that detailed description to be separated from the discussion and interpretation - whether that means putting it in a separate chapter or in an appendix. I'm probably closer to Eggy on this aspect.
Two key reasons:
1. It is good practice to separate factual information from discussion and interpretation - too many archaeological reports make no distinction, so that interpretations become 'facts' that inform other interpretations.
2. Something like an evaluation report is not an academic report, it is a tool to aid the planning process. It should therefore be structured in a way that makes its main information content and conclusions easily usable and accessible for all its users, who will include people who do not need or want to wade through the stratigraphic detail.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
The detailed stratigraphic description is important, and should be written before doing any of the discussion and interpretation bits. So far, so good Mercenary.
However, for the practical user of (for instance) a trial trenching report, it is better for that detailed description to be separated from the discussion and interpretation - whether that means putting it in a separate chapter or in an appendix. I'm probably closer to Eggy on this aspect.
Two key reasons:
1. It is good practice to separate factual information from discussion and interpretation - too many archaeological reports make no distinction, so that interpretations become 'facts' that inform other interpretations.
2. Something like an evaluation report is not an academic report, it is a tool to aid the planning process. It should therefore be structured in a way that makes its main information content and conclusions easily usable and accessible for all its users, who will include people who do not need or want to wade through the stratigraphic detail.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished