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Noun: factor analysis  'faktur u'nalisis
  1. 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

Derived forms: factor analyses

See also: factor analytical, factor analyze [N. Amer]

Type of: correlational analysis

Encyclopedia: Factor analysis