Measurement of Diversity | Nature


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ABSTRACT THE 'characteristic' defined by Yule1 and the 'index of diversity' defined by Fisher2 are two measures of the degree of concentration or diversity achieved when


the individuals of a population are classified into groups. Both are defined as statistics to be calculated from sample data and not in terms of population constants. The index of diversity


has so far been used chiefly with the logarithmic distribution. It cannot be used everywhere, as it does not always give values which are independent of sample size ; it cannot do so, for


example, when applied to an infinite population of individuals classified into a finite number of groups. Williams3 has pointed out a relationship between the characteristic and the index of


diversity when both are applied to a logarithmic distribution. The present purpose is to define and examine a measure of concentration in terms of population constants. Access through your


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access 30 April 2025 REFERENCES * Yule, "_Statistical Study of Literary Vocabulary_" (Cambridge, 1944). Google Scholar  * Fisher, Corbet and Williams, _J. Animal Ecol._, 12, 42


(1943). Article  Google Scholar  * Williams, _Nature_, 157, 482 (1946). Article  ADS  Google Scholar  Download references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * 3 West End Avenue,


Pinner E. H. SIMPSON Authors * E. H. SIMPSON View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS


ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE SIMPSON, E. Measurement of Diversity. _Nature_ 163, 688 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/163688a0 Download citation * Issue Date: 30 April 1949 * DOI:


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