A hand lister refers to an individual who engages in the practice of creating hand lists. A hand list, in this context, is a written record or inventory of items, objects, or entities that are observed, examined, or encountered manually by an individual. The task of a hand lister involves meticulously noting down these items onto a document or piece of paper, typically using pen or pencil.
Hand listing is commonly employed in various contexts such as scientific research, archaeology, collections management, and cataloging. In scientific research, hand listers play a significant role in collecting data by systematically documenting physical specimens, plants, animals, or artifacts encountered during fieldwork or laboratory experiments. Archaeologists make use of hand lists to record artifacts discovered during excavations, enabling a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the historical or cultural context.
Furthermore, collections managers employ hand lists as an organized and efficient means of documenting objects within a collection. By creating hand lists, they can easily track, categorize, and manage items, contributing to the preservation and accessibility of collections for scholarly or public use.
Overall, a hand lister is an individual adept at undertaking the task of manual documenting, labeling, and recording encountered items, aiming to create a comprehensive inventory or report.
