THE CONCEPT OF RELEVANCE IN TAXONOMY WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON AUTOMATIC CLASSIFICATION
Bernard R. Baum · Taxon · 1973
Summary The coefficient of relevance Rjk is expanded to include homology by introduction of a new parameter Cjk to modify Rjk. Values of Cjk are inversely proportional to the rank and allow inclusion of subjective probability levels of Cjk. This gives to the taxonomist a measure of reliability of the portion of OTU's irrespective of the methods he choses to use. It is suggested that classification above the generic level might be quite arbitrary, although useful for some specific purpose.