amount of variance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amount of variance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to statistics, data analysis, or research when discussing the degree of variation in a dataset. Example: "The amount of variance in the test scores indicates how much the students' performances differ from the average."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And even at secondary, homework "explains only a small amount of variance in pupils' achievement".

The Guardian - Opinion

On the state level, there wasn't a huge amount of variance.

MIT Technology Review

Node predictability is defined as the amount of variance of each RF that is explained by the directly related RFs.

Nature

Engineers working within the logic of Zero Defects presuppose a certain amount of variance in the production of any part.

Harvard Business Review

The terrain analysis variables did not explain a large amount of variance within the models.

Ecological Modelling

This eigenvector is a vector of 1s, hence the eigenvector associated with the second highest eigenvalue captures the largest amount of variance in the system.

Nature

If you have a fair amount of variance from day to day, it may be more effective for you to craft a weekly time budget.

Harvard Business Review

Differences in the amount of variance explained in models for the two groups warrant further research.

Duke University

Both apparent and reported sadness accounted for a large amount of variance among the four clusters.

Duke University

However, if your project brief is clear, there shouldn't be a tremendous amount of variance without clear justification.

Forbes

(2) The cumulative amount of variance criterion considers only the first components that cumulative amount of variance is greater than a given value (in most cases: 80%).

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, always define the context in which you are measuring or discussing "amount of variance" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid equating a high "amount of variance" explained with practical significance. A model might statistically explain a large percentage of variance, but the effect size could still be small or irrelevant in real-world applications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amount of variance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It quantifies the degree of dispersion or variability within a dataset or phenomenon. As shown in the Ludwig examples, this expression is common in scientific and academic discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

13%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "amount of variance" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term, particularly within scientific, academic, and statistical contexts. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it effectively quantifies the degree of dispersion or variability in data, aiding in the assessment of data spread and model effectiveness. While alternatives like "degree of variability" and "level of dispersion" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. Remember to define the context of measurement to avoid ambiguity, and avoid overstating the practical significance based solely on the "amount of variance" explained.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

degree of variability

This alternative focuses on the extent to which data points differ from each other or from an average value.

level of dispersion

This phrase emphasizes the scattering or spread of data points around a central value.

extent of variation

This alternative highlights the range or scope of differences within a set of data.

quantity of diversity

This phrase is suitable when referring to the variety and heterogeneity within a group or sample.

magnitude of fluctuation

This alternative is appropriate when describing the size or intensity of changes over time.

scope of difference

This phrase emphasizes the breadth or range of dissimilarities between items or categories.

measure of inconsistency

This alternative highlights the degree to which data points deviate from a consistent pattern or trend.

volume of fluctuation

This alternative underlines the amount of changes or swings in a certain period.

range of divergence

This phrase points to the degree where things are going in different directions or differing from a standard.

quantity of scatter

This alternative emphasizes how dispersed or spread out data points are.

FAQs

How is "amount of variance" used in statistical analysis?

In statistical analysis, the "amount of variance" indicates how much the data points in a sample differ from the mean. It's often used to assess the spread of data and the effectiveness of models in explaining observed differences. You might also see the phrase used in the context of "analysis of variance" (ANOVA).

What does it mean when a model explains a small "amount of variance"?

When a model explains a small "amount of variance", it suggests that other factors not included in the model are likely influencing the outcome. This indicates that the model has limited predictive power and may need refinement or the inclusion of additional variables. In this case it can be useful to search for other "variables" that can explain the behavior of the target data.

What are some statistical measures related to "amount of variance"?

Several statistical measures are related to the "amount of variance", including standard deviation, variance itself, and R-squared (coefficient of determination). Standard deviation measures the spread of data around the mean, variance quantifies the average squared deviation from the mean, and R-squared indicates the proportion of variance in the dependent variable that is predictable from the independent variable(s).

Is "amount of variance" the same as "amount of variation"?

While the terms are closely related, "amount of variance" is typically used in a statistical context to refer to a specific mathematical measure of dispersion. "Amount of variation" is a broader term that can refer to any kind of difference or change within a dataset or population. The two terms are related but not perfectly interchangeable, and the best choice depends on context. Although in most cases "amount of variation" can be used safely.