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Recording Measurements
The Measurements page records quantitative measurements for a specimen.
Measurements provide objective data describing the specimen's size, proportions and physical characteristics. Recording measurements using predefined measurement types ensures consistency across the collection and enables meaningful searching, comparison and analysis.
A specimen may have as many measurements as required.
The panel at the top of the page lists all measurements currently recorded for the specimen.
If no measurements have been recorded, the page will display:
No measurements recorded for this specimen.
Each measurement is stored as an individual record.
Select the appropriate Measurement type, enter the measured value and select Add measurement.
The unit of measurement is defined by the selected measurement type and is shown alongside its name.
For example:
- Length (mm)
- Width (mm)
- Height (mm)
- Diameter (mm)
- Weight (g)
Because the unit is predefined, only the numerical value needs to be entered.
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Selects the specimen whose measurements are being viewed or edited. |
| Measurement type | Selects the predefined measurement being recorded. Each measurement type has an associated unit defined in the Reference Data section. |
| Value | Records the measured value using the unit associated with the selected measurement type. Enter only the numeric value; the unit is implied by the measurement type. |
| Add measurement | Saves the measurement and associates it with the selected specimen. |
Measurements should be taken using appropriate measuring equipment and recorded using the units defined by the selected measurement type.
Examples include:
| Measurement | Typical unit |
|---|---|
| Length | mm |
| Width | mm |
| Height | mm |
| Diameter | mm |
| Aperture height | mm |
| Aperture width | mm |
| Weight | g |
Additional measurement types can be created and maintained through the Reference Data → Measurement Types page.
- Measure specimens consistently using the same method each time
- Record measurements to an appropriate precision based on the measuring instrument
- Use the predefined measurement type that most closely matches what has been measured
- Avoid creating duplicate measurement types with different names for the same dimension
- Re-measure specimens if preparation or restoration changes their dimensions
Measurements provide objective, repeatable information that complements descriptive observations and photographs.
Standardised measurements make it possible to:
- Compare specimens within the collection.
- Track changes following preparation or conservation.
- Support taxonomic identification.
- Document specimen morphology consistently.
- Search and filter specimens based on physical characteristics.
Using predefined measurement types also ensures that similar measurements are recorded consistently throughout the collection, improving the quality and usefulness of the resulting data.