Numerical index of the discriminatory ability of typing systems: an application of Simpson's index of diversity

1988/11/01 by Paul Hunter, M A Gaston · 3,140 citations
Engineering · Mathematics · #Metallurgy and Material Forming #Structural Health Monitoring Techniques #Ultrasonics and Acoustic Wave Propagation #Typing #Index (typography) #Diversity (politics) #Diversity index #Statistics #Mathematics #Genetics #Biology #Computer science #Sociology #Anthropology #World Wide Web

paper · pdf · doi:10.1128/jcm.26.11.2465-2466.1988

published in Journal of Clinical Microbiology 26(11), 2465-2466 (American Society for Microbiology)

openalex publication_date 1988/11/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

An index of discrimination for typing methods is described, based on the probability of two unrelated strains being characterized as the same type. This index may be used to compare typing methods and select the most discriminatory system.

Citations

• Measurement of Diversity

Cited by

• Qualitative variation [wikipedia]