I’m running a project and noticed I have some observations on there that I don’t think will contribute because they will not be able to become research grade. Is it appropriate for me to delete them to raise our projects % of research grade observations?

I agree with many of the other comments here. The value of “Research Grade” is frequently debated here on the Forum. At its most basic level it just means that two or more people agree on an ID with no dissenting votes. It’s nice to get that kind of confirmation (if it’s correct—though it might not …

The goal isn’t necessarily to reach research grade. This is part of where the ‘gamification’ aspect of iNat fails. The goal is to record life and get people engaged in their natural surroundings. In terms of “use”, often genus or even family level observations are just as “useful” as species leve…

Just last week I identified a plant where not one part of the photo was in focus. I’m absolutely sure that the ID is correct because I see the plant nearly every day and it was (albeit blurry) flowering. Driving home at 80-100km’s per hour in my car I ID plants that are whizzing past – yeah I probab…

[image] 0x4372616967: I think birders have a name for it GISS general impression shape and size

And also - when I ask why is it that? - it just is!

Well, if it’s because it is impossible to ID down to the species level, and not because it is casual, then in fact it is possible for it to reach RG, by marking a box that the identification can’t be further improved ;) But as far as I know, there is some controversy about using this box, as RG obse…

I just had a look at the plant I IDed. Using “conventional” methods I’m not even certain I could ID it to family. I certainly couldn’t do it using a key. It’s a blurry photo. But the ID I made to species level is correct. So maybe us plant people have GISS as well :)

GISS - general impression of size and shape, comes from WW2 scouts identifying aeroplanes and the term spread to other fields. Very few carry a tripod and professional gear to take photos while out in the field. A lot of times even good photos miss important details. iNat is not a “Photo of the yea…

If I have observations that I realize have no way of becoming research grade, is it bad to delete them?

General

DianaStuder December 19, 2023, 10:10pm 7

If your obs have IDs from others, it is inappropriate to delete their work.

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If I have observations that I realize have no way of becoming research grade, is it bad to delete them?

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