Abstract

The Delgado–Lloyd method offers a low-cost alternative for conducting beach profiles that requires only one surveyor. We have revisited the data provided in our original publication and conducted several statistical analyses to properly quantify the accuracy and precision of the Delgado–Lloyd method. Results show a mean precision of 0.014 m and an average accuracy of 0.024 m when compared to theodolite measurements. Individual readings across 2-m sectionsshow high accuracies, which supports the idea that a large part of the error is that any mistake might accumulate along the profile. We analyze the nature of this cumulative error in the context of the Delgado–Lloyd and the Emery methods and reply to some of the arguments of previous discussions. If the instrument used for the Delgado–Lloyd method is properly constructed, individual users with no experience may achieve high levels of accuracy when conductingprofiles.