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Ordinary Least-Squares (OLS) Model

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Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research

Synonyms

General linear model; Multiple regression; Regression

Definition

Ordinary least-squares (OLS) models assume that the analysis is fitting a model of a relationship between one or more explanatory variables and a continuous or at least interval outcome variable that minimizes the sum of square errors, where an error is the difference between the actual and the predicted value of the outcome variable. The most common analytical method that utilizes OLS models is linear regression (with a single or multiple predictor variables).

Description

Ordinary least-squares (OLS) models assume that the analyst is fitting a model of a relationship between one or more explanatory variables and a continuous or at least interval outcome variable that minimizes the sum of square errors, where an error is the difference between the actual and the predicted value of the outcome variable. The most common analytical method that utilizes OLS models is linear regression (with a single or multiple...

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Correspondence to Bozena Zdaniuk .

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Zdaniuk, B. (2023). Ordinary Least-Squares (OLS) Model. In: Maggino, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17299-1_2008

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