This article describes a method for determining the polydispersity index I-p2 = (M) over bar (Z)/(M) over bar (W) of the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of linear polymeric materials from linear viscoelastic data. The method uses the Mellin transform of the relaxation modulus of a simple molecular theological model. One of the main features of this technique is that it enables interesting MWD information to be obtained directly from dynamic shear experiments. It is not necessary to achieve the relaxation spectrum, so the ill-posed problem is avoided. Furthermore, a determinate shape of the continuous MWD does not have to be assumed in order to obtain the polydispersity index. The technique has been developed to deal with entangled linear polymers, whatever the form of the MWD is. The theological information required to obtain the polydispersity index is the storage G'(omega) and loss G"(I)(omega) moduli, extending from the terminal zone to the plateau region. The method provides a good agreement between the proposed theoretical approach and the experimental polydispersity indices of several linear polymers for a wide range of average molecular weights and polydispersity indices. It is also applicable to binary blends. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.