Batcalls.org was developed primarily to facilitate sharing of time-expanded echolocation calls that can be used as reference calls, i.e., calls for which the bat species has been identified with a high degree of certainty. During the upload process contributors can enter a certainty classification for each call and describe how the call was assigned to species.

Calls for which the bat is unknown or less than 100% certain can also be uploaded. Indicating how the call was collected or how the species was determined will help others ascertain whether or not the call can be used for acoustic comparison.

As with any other piece of data, researchers must use their own judgement to determine the value of the calls and corresponding assignment to species based on their knowledge of the the contributor’s skill, experience and talent.