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Understanding and Applying Factor Analysis and PCA

Vitthal Srinivasan

Factor Analysis and PCA are powerful tools, applicable in many common situations in business and data analysis. This course covers both the theory and implementation of factor analysis and PCA, in Excel (using VBA), Python, and R.

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Factor Analysis and PCA are powerful tools, applicable in many common situations in business and data analysis. This course covers both the theory and implementation of factor analysis and PCA, in Excel (using VBA), Python, and R.

Factor Analysis and PCA are key techniques for dimensionality reduction, and latent factor identification. In this course, Understanding and Applying Factor Analysis and PCA, you'll learn how to understand and apply factor analysis and PCA. First, you'll explore how to cut through the clutter with factor analysis. Next, you'll discover how to carry out factor analysis using PCA, a powerful ML-based approach. Then, you'll learn how to perform eigenvalue decomposition, a cookie-cutter linear algebra procedure. Finally, you'll learn how to implement PCA to explain Google's stock returns in Excel and VBA, R, and Python. By the end of this course, you'll have a strong applied knowledge of factor analysis and PCA that will help you solve complex business problems.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview
Introducing Factor Analysis and PCA
Understanding Factor Analysis and PCA
Implementing Factor Analysis and PCA in Excel and VBA
Read more
Implementing Factor Analysis and PCA in R
Implementing Factor Analysis and PCA in Python

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers factor analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), which are applicable in business and data analysis
Provides practical implementation of factor analysis and PCA in Excel (VBA), Python, and R
Taught by Vitthal Srinivasan, an experienced instructor in the field
Focuses on understanding and applying factor analysis and PCA
Appropriate for individuals with experience in data analysis and statistical modeling

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Understanding and Applying Factor Analysis and PCA with these activities:
Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Read a book on multivariate statistical analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations of PCA and FA.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book and set aside regular time for reading.
  • Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting key concepts.
  • Complete the practice exercises and review the solutions to reinforce your understanding.
PCA and FA Exercises
Solve practice problems on PCA and FA to solidify your understanding of the key concepts and techniques.
Show steps
  • Identify and gather practice problems on PCA and FA from various resources.
  • Attempt to solve the problems independently, using the concepts and techniques learned in the course.
  • Check your solutions against provided answer keys or consult with the course instructor or peers for guidance.
PCA and FA Tutorial
Create a tutorial that explains the concepts and techniques of PCA and FA, including their applications and limitations.
Browse courses on Data Visualization
Show steps
  • Gather and organize your understanding of PCA and FA, including their mathematical foundations, algorithms, and applications.
  • Choose a suitable format for your tutorial, such as a written document, video, or interactive presentation.
  • Develop clear and concise explanations, supported by examples and illustrations.
  • Proofread and revise your tutorial to ensure clarity and accuracy.
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
PCA and FA Project
Apply PCA or FA to a real-world dataset to gain practical experience and demonstrate your understanding.
Show steps
  • Identify a suitable dataset and define a clear project goal.
  • Preprocess the data, including data cleaning, transformation, and feature selection.
  • Apply PCA or FA to the data and interpret the results.
  • Evaluate the performance of your model and draw conclusions.
  • Present your findings in a written report or presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding and Applying Factor Analysis and PCA will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Scientist
Data Scientists perform a broad range of duties that involve gathering, processing, interpreting, and presenting data. Experts in this field use both their statistical expertise and programming skills to perform mathematical and statistical modeling of data to identify patterns, make predictions, and draw business conclusions based on results. Taking this course can help aspiring or practicing Data Scientists get a better foundational understanding of how to apply techniques such as PCA and Factor analysis in their work to leverage data and solve business problems.
Statistician
Statisticians collect, analyze, interpret, and present data to solve a wide range of problems. This course would be especially helpful for those looking to work as Statisticians. The course covers both the theory and implementation of factor analysis and PCA and would give aspiring or practicing Statisticians the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of statistical techniques and apply them to real-world data analysis problems.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use financial information to make sound investment decisions and provide guidance to clients. This course can help Financial Analysts enhance their understanding of factor analysis and PCA and how they can implement these techniques in the financial sector. Learning how to implement PCA in Excel, VBA, R, and Python can make it easier for aspiring or practicing Financial Analysts to manage large datasets and identify factors that drive financial performance.
Market Researcher
Market Researchers study market conditions to identify product opportunities and understand consumer behavior. This course can be especially useful for Market Researchers as it covers both the theory and implementation of factor analysis and PCA. Gaining a strong understanding of these techniques can help Market Researchers better analyze market data, segment consumers, and make informed decisions about product development and marketing strategies.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve complex problems in various industries. This course can be useful for aspiring or practicing Operations Research Analysts, as it provides a solid foundation in factor analysis and PCA. These techniques can be used to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and optimize processes, making Operations Research Analysts more effective in their problem-solving roles.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course can be helpful for Data Analysts as it covers both the theory and implementation of factor analysis and PCA. These techniques can help Data Analysts better understand data, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions.
Quantitative Analyst
Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment decisions. This course can provide aspiring or practicing Quantitative Analysts with a solid foundation in factor analysis and PCA. These techniques can be used to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and make informed investment decisions.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use data analysis to help businesses improve their performance. This course can be useful for Business Analysts as it provides a solid foundation in factor analysis and PCA. These techniques can be used to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and make informed recommendations for business improvement.
Risk Analyst
Risk Analysts assess and manage risks for organizations. This course can be useful for Risk Analysts as it provides a solid foundation in factor analysis and PCA. These techniques can be used to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and develop risk mitigation strategies.
Data Engineer
Data Engineers design and build data management systems. This course can be useful for Data Engineers as it provides a solid foundation in factor analysis and PCA. These techniques can be used to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and optimize data storage and processing systems.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course can be useful for Software Engineers as it provides a solid foundation in factor analysis and PCA. These techniques can be used to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and design software systems that are more efficient and effective.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers design and develop machine learning models. This course can be useful for Machine Learning Engineers as it provides a solid foundation in factor analysis and PCA. These techniques can be used to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and develop machine learning models that are more accurate and efficient.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Understanding and Applying Factor Analysis and PCA.
Provides a comprehensive overview of factor analysis and PCA, with a focus on practical applications. Demonstrates tool implementation, which could be a valuable complement to theoretical instruction.
Classic introduction to factor analysis. It covers the basics of the technique, including its assumptions, methods, and applications. Provides good background reading.
Provides a comprehensive overview of multivariate data analysis, including factor analysis and PCA. It valuable resource for learners who want to gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of these techniques. In-depth coverage, serving as a comprehensive reference.
Covers a wide range of multivariate statistical methods, including factor analysis and PCA. It valuable resource for learners who want to gain a broad understanding of multivariate analysis techniques. Offers a comprehensive overview of multivariate statistical methods.
Focuses on exploratory factor analysis, which type of factor analysis that is used to identify the underlying structure of a dataset. Suitable as a specialized reference for learners pursuing research in this area.
Provides a comprehensive overview of statistical methods that are commonly used in psychology, including factor analysis and PCA. A tailored resource for learners interested in psychological applications of factor analysis.
Covers the mathematical and statistical theory of PCA. Suitable as a secondary reference.
Covers confirmatory factor analysis, which type of factor analysis that is used to test specific hypotheses about the structure of a dataset. Suitable as a reference for advanced learners.
Covers structural equation modeling, a statistical method that is closely related to factor analysis. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the topic, including its theoretical foundations and practical applications. Offers a wider scope and can serve as additional reading.

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