An Extension of the Coefficient of Divergence for Use with Multiple Characters
Philip J. Clark · Copeia · 1952
AS a measure of the divergence existing between two populations with respect to some given character, Klauber (1940) has suggested that the difference between the means of the two populations be divided by the average of the means. This measure has the advantage that it is independent of the units in which the character is recorded. The definition of divergence provided by Klauber is subjective, to the extent that other definitions of the term can easily be obtained. The value of this definition is that it enables the amount of divergence between two populations to be objectively estimated. Formulas, or definitions, constructed in such a manner as to make objective evaluation possible are much to be desired in biological work, for they provide standards which make agreement among workers possible. This paper suggests a slight modification of Klauber's formula and provides a generalization of the formula for the simultaneous treatment of any number of characters. Let A and B represent two populations, and let Q1 represent some particular character. Let A1 and B1 denote the mean values of character Q1 in populations A and B, respectively. Then Klauber's coefficient of divergence (C.D.) between populations A and B with respect to Q, is: