Multi-access key

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In biology or medicine, a multi-access key is an identification key which overcomes the problem of the more traditional single-access keys (dichotomous or polytomous identification keys) of requiring a fixed sequence of identification steps. A multi-access key enables the user to freely choose the characteristics that are convenient to evaluate for the item to be identified. [1] [2]

Contents

Alternative terms

Alternative terms used for multi-access keys are "random-access key", "multi-entry key", "polyclave", "matrix key", "tabular key", "synoptic key". Some of these terms should be avoided in this sense, however:

History

Interactive multi-access keys are a high-tech descendant of polyclaves ("card keys"). Historically various styles of encoding features of species (such as flower color) on punch cards were used. Holes or notches in these cards would allow the user to choose cards based on characters observed in a specimen until only one card remained, yielding a tentative identification. [1] [2]

Advantages

Multi-access keys largely serve the same purpose as single-access (dichotomous or polytomous) keys, but have many advantages, especially in the form of computer-aided, interactive keys. [4] The user of an interactive key may select or enter information about an unidentified specimen in any order, allowing the computer to interactively rule out possible identifications of the entity and present the user with additional helpful information and guidance on what information to enter next. Full-featured interactive keys may readily be equipped with images, audio, video, supplemental text, much-simplified language in conjunction with technical language and hyperlinks to assist the user with understanding of both entities and features. [5]

With paper-based dichotomous keys, the discovery of a new species renders the key incomplete; interactive keys are easily updated by adding information for newly discovered species and releasing computer files through the internet. [5]

Many different computer programs for interactive keys are currently available, some of which are truly multi-access, and some not. [6] [7]

Examples

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References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Pankhurst, R. J. 1991. Practical Taxonomic Computing.
  2. 1 2 Winston, J. 1999. Describing Species. Columbia University Press. ISBN   9780231068253
  3. ↑ Fig. 19.6 in Winston, J. 1999. Describing Species. Columbia University Press.
  4. ↑ Dallwitz, M.J., Paine, T.A. and Zurcher, E.J. 2000 onwards. Principles of interactive keys.
  5. 1 2 Brasher, J. W. 2006. The Southern Rocky Mountain Interactive Flora (SRMIF) and factors correlated with recognition of plants and mammals. University of Northern Colorado, Ph. D. Thesis.
  6. ↑ Dallwitz, M.J. 1996 onwards. Programs for interactive identification and information retrieval.
  7. ↑ Dallwitz, M.J. 2000 onwards. A comparison of interactive identification programs.
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