Factor analysis
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A statistical method used to describe variability among observed correlated variables in terms of one or more unobserved variables (called factors). uncountable
"Factor analysis is a generic term that we use to describe a number of methods designed to analyze interrelationships within a set of variables or objects."
- 2 any of several methods for reducing correlational data to a smaller number of dimensions or factors; beginning with a correlation matrix a small number of components or factors are extracted that are regarded as the basic variables that account for the interrelations observed in the data wordnet
- 3 A statistical study performed using the method. countable
"Separate exploratory factor analyses using an oblique rotation were conducted on the item sets measuring task values, task difficulty perceptions, and ability perceptions."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"Factor analysis is a generic term that we use to describe a number of methods designed to analyze interrelationships within a set of variables or objects."