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

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

From MarketWatch

The developer of a statistical method called factor analysis, Charles Spearman, concluded in 1904 that a general factor of intelligence, called a g factor, must underlie the concordance of measurements for varying human cognitive skills.

From Scientific American

As of now, I see at least four very plausible hypotheses — not grand generalizations like “decadent elites,” but specific factor analysis, advanced by smart people and supported by solid evidence.

From Washington Post

To start seeing the big picture, we employed a statistical technique called factor analysis to simplify all of the characteristics of the schizophrenia and autism spectrums into a more managable set of factors.

From Scientific American

We then performed a factor analysis on all the other items to which they had responded, and we identified eight distinct themes that characterized the frustrations of these employees.

From Forbes