ScienceAugust 25, 2026

varimax

VAIR-ih-maks

Definition

A specific mathematical rotation method used during factor analysis to simplify and clarify the interpretation of data by maximizing the variance of the loadings on each factor.

Etymology

The word is a portmanteau of the words 'variance' and 'maximum,' coined by statistician Henry Kaiser in 1958 to describe this specific approach to achieving 'simple structure' in statistical analysis.

In the news

The article uses varimax rotation to refine the factor structure of the Research Competence Scale, ensuring the resulting data categories are easier to interpret and conceptually distinct.

Validity testing of the Research Competence Scale for special education school teachers: an empirical study from China

Read the full article ↗

Frontiers

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