Noun: factor analysis 'fak-tu(r) u'na-li-sis
- (statistics) 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
"The psychologist used factor analysis to identify underlying personality traits from questionnaire responses"
Derived forms: factor analyses
Type of: correlational analysis
Encyclopedia: Factor analysis