coefficient of variation A measure of variability within a sample, representing a population or a species; it is calculated as the standard deviation × 100 divided by the mean. Experience shows that within a homogeneous population of mature individuals the coefficient of variation rarely exceeds 10.

coefficient of variation A measure of variability within a sample, representing a population or a species; it is calculated as the standard deviation × 100 divided by the mean. Experience shows that within a homogenous population of mature individuals the coefficient of variation rarely exceeds 10.