factor analysis

American  

noun

Statistics.

1. the use of one of several methods for reducing a set of variables to a lesser number of new variables, each of which is a function of one or more of the original variables.

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factor analysis British  

noun

1. statistics any of several techniques for deriving from a number of given variables a smaller number of different, more useful, variables

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Etymology

Origin of factor analysis

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

We tested our model, using techniques such as factor analysis and principal component analysis, to ensure that all of the pieces fit together from a statistical standpoint.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Then there are a number of exchange-traded funds that employ factor analysis to narrow down to smaller groups of midcap stocks.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 28, 2026

One of the standard methods for assessing personality is to analyze people's answers to a 100-item questionnaire with a statistical technique called factor analysis.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 12, 2015

After completing a factor analysis of the different adjectives, Mehrabian created four basic dimensions that form our impressions of names.

From Inc • Sep. 9, 2011

What his factor analysis might be saying is that over time, individuals were rated relatively consistently by interviewers on what the study called attractiveness.

From Scientific American • May 23, 2011