Term: Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2009-02-26

Definition:

"The process of determining a regression or prediction equation to predict Y from X" (Dawson et al., 2004), using the method of least squares. In the resulting regression line, "the sum of the squared discrepancies between the actual dependent values and the corresponding values predicted by the line are as small as possible, hence the name 'least squares'" (Hassard, 1991).

Related concepts 

• Statistics for Large Databases

Related terms 

• Logistic Regression
• Multiple Logistic Regression
• Regression Analysis

References 

• Hassard T. Understanding Biostatistics. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MI: Mosby-Year Book, Inc. 1991.(View)

Term used in 

• Fransoo R, Martens P, The Need to Know Team, Burland E, Prior H, Burchill C, Chateau D, Walld R. Sex Differences in Health Status, Health Care Use, and Quality of Care: A Population-Based Analysis for Manitoba's Regional Health Authorities. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2005. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Katz A, Bogdanovic B, Ekuma O, Soodeen RA, Chateau D, Burnett C. Physician Resource Projection Models . Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] (View)