Our dictionary contains descriptions and explanations to some words, terms and acronyms. For more exact statistical and mathematical formulas and definitions, please see Literature for Self Training.

Analysis of variance	A statistical technique to separate and estimate different causes of variation.
ANOVA	See Analysis of Variance.
BSPC	Batch Statistical Process Control.
Chemometrics	The application of mathematical and statistical methods to chemical data.
Collinearity	A high level of correlation between variables.
Correlation	Also correlation coefficient, the strength of the relationship between variables.
Cross-validation	A procedure of calculations to simulate the predictive power of a model, in order to determine its significance.
D-optimal design	A computer-generated design for non-standard conditions or when the experimental domains is distorted. The D in D-optimal stands for determinant.
Design of Experiments	A strategy for setting up a set of experiments in which all variables are varied in a systematic manner, for the purpose of determining the correlation between variables and to predict results.
DOE	See Design of Experiments.
Interaction	Also interaction coefficient, the strength of the relation between an independent variable and dependent variables, as a function of another indepdenent variable.
Metabonomics	The study of excreted metabolites of a species or an individual organism, involving measurements of the response to an influence.
MLR	Multiple Linear Regression.
MODDE	See MODDE in the product menu.
Model	The mathematical description of the behaviour of a system.
MSPC	Multivariate Statistical Process Control.
Multivariate Data Analysis	Regression analysis by projection methods such as PCA and PLS.
MVA	See Multivariate Data Analysis.
NIPALS	See Nonlinear Iterative Partial Least Squares.
Nonlinear Iterative Partial Least Squares	Algorithm for calculating principal components.
O-PLS	Also Orthogonal PLS, a modification of PLS in which systematic variation in independent factors is divided into two parts; either related or non-related to the dependent responses.
OLS	Ordinary Least Squares, equivalent to MLR.
Omics	The study of a group or system of biomolecules.
Partial Least Squares Projections to Latent Structures	See Projections to Latent Structures.
PAT	See Process Analytical Technology.
PCA	See Principal Component Analysis
PCR	See Principal Component Regression.
PLS	See Projections to Latent Structures.
PLS-DA	Also PLS Discriminant Analysis, a PLS analysis involving a dummy variable for classification.
Prediction	A statement (usually quantitative) about what will happen under specific conditions, as a logical consequence of scientific theories.
Principal Component Analysis	A transformation where the data set receives a new coordinate system, in which new axes follow the direction of greatest variance in the data set.
Principal Component Regression	A regression technique that combines principal component calculations with MLR.
Process Analytical Technology	Systems for analysis and control of manufacturing processes based on timely measurements, during processing, of critical quality parameters and performance attributes of raw and in-process materials and processes to assure acceptable end product quality at the completion of the process.
Projections to Latent Structures	A regression technique for modelling the relationship between projections of dependent factors and independent responses.
QSAR	See Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship.
Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship	Estimation of the strength of a mathematical relation between chemical structure and pharmacological activity for a series of compounds.
Rectangular Experimental Designs for Multi-Unit Platforms	A set of designs, for experiments in 96-well plates using multi-pipettes.
REDMUP	See Rectangular Experimental Design for Multi-Unit Platforms.
Regression	The fitting of a curve to data points, expresses the mathematical relationship between variables.
SBOL	See SIMCA-Batch-On-Line in the product menu.
Semiconductor	A material with low conductivity, and hence an intermediate between a conductor and an insulator.
SIMCA	Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy. See also the SIMCA software family in the product menu.
Validity	Term stemming from logical argument, stating that an argument is valid if, for every model, all premises in the model are true, then the conclusion in the model is true.
Variability	The variation between samples in the same condition, without systematic error.
Variance	Measurement of variability, equal to the square of standard deviation.