Max Rady College of Medicine

Term: Factor Analysis

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2009-08-27

Definition:

A statistical procedure that identifies the common variance amongst a set of observed variables (i.e., indicators), and creates a factor (i.e., index) comprised of that common variance. The factor scores are calculated with a linear equation that incorporates a weighted contribution of each of the variables that are included in the analysis. The contribution (i.e., weight) of each variable is relative to the amount of variance in common with the other variables.

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References 

  • Metge C, Chateau D, Prior H, Soodeen R, De Coster C, Barre L. Composite Measures/Indices of Health and Health System Performance. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] (View)


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Manitoba Centre for Health Policy
Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine,
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences,
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University of Manitoba
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