Sensitivity analysis
The impact of the expert-designated criteria weights on overall risk
scores for each pathogen was examined by calculating Spearman
correlation coefficients (Table 4). All of the most impactful criteria
weights had a positive correlation with overall risk scores, meaning
that an increase in the criteria weighting produced an increase in the
overall risk score. The “host species” criteria was identified as the
most impactful in the highest number of pathogens (nine pathogens). The
“likelihood of transfer” and “current distribution in Minnesota”
were impactful for two pathogens each, whereas the “economic impact if
established” and “likelihood of colonization” were most impactful for
one pathogen each.