Variable that is inferred through a mathematical model from other variables that are observed.
Notes: - The factors obtain from common factor analysis are termed latent variables.
- A distinction can be made between ‘hidden variable’, which is considered to be an actual variable that is buried in the effects of other variables and noise, and a ‘latent variable’ that is entirely hypothetical.
Source:
PAC, 2016, 88, 407. 'Vocabulary of concepts and terms in chemometrics (IUPAC Recommendations 2016)' on page 420 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2015-0605)