Inter-observer variability
Definition
The tendency of different trained examiners to assign slightly different Munsell codes to the same sample. Research has shown this can span one hue page and one or two value or chroma steps, which matters when comparing notes across different investigators or different laboratories.
Related terms
- Chroma
- The saturation or colourfulness of the hue, from 0 (neutral grey) outward in whole-number steps. Strongly weathered, iron-oxide-rich soils have high chroma;...
- Hue
- The dominant wavelength family of a colour, expressed as a position on the Munsell colour wheel. Soil hues run from 10R (red)...
- Munsell Soil Colour Chart
- A physical book of matt colour chips arranged by hue, value, and chroma, published by X-Rite/Munsell Color. The analyst holds a chip...
- Spectrophotometry
- Instrumental measurement of reflectance at each wavelength across the visible spectrum, producing a numerical colour profile. Results can be expressed in CIE...
- Value
- The lightness dimension of the Munsell system, scaled from 0 (theoretical black) to 10 (theoretical white). High-organic soils tend to have low...
Explained in
- Soil Colour and Munsell NotationThe tendency of different trained examiners to assign slightly different Munsell codes to the same sample. Research has shown this can span one hue page and on...