focal variables

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focal variables" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as research, statistics, or discussions about key factors in a study or analysis. Example: "In our research, we identified several focal variables that significantly influenced the outcomes of the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Business Research

BMC Public Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Our results were largely robust to different focal variables and resilience definitions.

Forest Ecology and Management

The proposed focal variables are a) forest cover, b) opportunity cost, c) livelihood and productive diversification, d) pro-social and pro-environmental motivations and attitudes, e) confidence and cooperation, f) traditional management practices, g) internal organization on the local level, h) land tenure, and i) rules for the management and use of natural resources.

Ecosystem Services

The focal variables, pre-purchase interactions, post-purchase interactions, service requests, and service complaints, are incorporated as time-varying covariates that account for changes on a daily basis.

Business Research

The final sample with analyzable answers for all of the focal variables consisted of 170 professors, 833 scientific employees, and 213 non-scientific employees (2 participants did not indicate their affiliation with one of these groups).

Business Research

We choose a parametric Weibull hazard model formulation to account for the baseline trend of the upselling likelihood during the customer lifetime and to allow for a time-varying formulation of our focal variables, pre- and post-purchase interactions, service requests, and service complaints (Grewal et al. 2004; Kamakura et al. 2004).

Business Research

These groupings allow comparison of 'current', 'previous', and 'no history of self-injury' groups on all focal variables.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This is essentially the mechanism suggested by Kollintzas et al. (2017), where WPR is a focal variable.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

In detail, we use the focal variable, social media interactions, as well as additional contractual (e.g., advertising consent, upselling behavior, and acquisition channel) and demographic covariates (e.g., age, gender, credit score, and purchasing power).

Business Research

We initially included interactions between the focal variable and study type in the models, but the interaction term was never significant, so we removed it from the final models.

Plosone

For continuous focal variable (household wealth), we tested this using bi-serial correlations.

BMC Public Health

Moreover, to examine the effects of both brain mass and body mass we performed the sequential regression once with brain mass as the focal variable and once with body mass as the focal variable.

BMC Ecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing scientific papers, clearly define your "focal variables" early on to provide context for your readers.

Common error

Don't assume readers know which variables are "focal". Always specify what they are, even if you've mentioned them before. For instance, instead of saying "the effect on the focal variables", state "the effect on education, labor market participation, and literacy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focal variables" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the central elements under consideration in a particular analysis or study. As Ludwig AI underlines, "focal variables" are robust to different definitions and find application across various disciplines.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Business Research

20%

BMC Public Health

10%

Less common in

News & Media

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focal variables" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to highlight the most important variables within a study or analysis. Per Ludwig AI, its robust usage across various definitions confirms its versatility. Predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts, its formal register suits research reports and scholarly articles. When writing, ensure clear identification of these "focal variables" to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "key variables" or "primary variables" depending on your audience and the desired level of formality. Ludwig's analysis underscores the phrase's utility in promoting clarity and precision in research communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key variables

Replaces "focal" with a more common synonym, emphasizing importance.

primary variables

Similar to "key variables", highlighting the main variables of interest.

main variables

A simpler alternative, focusing on the variables of greatest importance.

central variables

Emphasizes the core or pivotal role of the variables.

principal variables

A more formal synonym for "main variables".

variables of interest

Highlights the variables that are the focus of the study or analysis.

independent variables of focus

Specifies that these variables are independent and central to the analysis.

dependent variables of focus

Specifies that these variables are dependent and central to the analysis.

critical factors

Shifts the focus to factors rather than variables, while retaining the emphasis on importance.

essential elements

Broadens the scope to include elements beyond just variables, highlighting their necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "focal variables" in a sentence?

You can use "focal variables" to describe the key variables of interest in a study. For example, "The study examined the impact of the intervention on several "key variables", including the "focal variables" of income and education."

What are some alternatives to "focal variables"?

Some alternatives to "focal variables" include "key variables", "primary variables", or "main variables". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "focal variables" in business writing?

Yes, "focal variables" can be used in business writing, especially when discussing data analysis or research findings. However, in less formal contexts, simpler terms like "main variables" or "key factors" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "focal variable" and "control variable"?

A "focal variable" is a variable of primary interest in a study, while a control variable is a variable that is kept constant to assess the relationship between the independent and dependent "focal variables". Control variables help to isolate the effect of the "focal variable".