What does the abbreviation ‘ANOVA’ stand for?

Concept

Statistical procedures often compare group means by separating observed variability into components attributable to differences between groups and variation within groups.

The method that performs this partition is named from the quantity it analyzes: variance.

Application

In this item, the initials A-N-O-V-A expand to ‘Analysis of Variance.’ The word ‘variance’ identifies the dispersion measure used to compare sources of variability.

Contrast

• ‘Analysis of Variables’ refers generally to examining measured characteristics, not to partitioning variability.

• ‘Analysis of Variations’ is an informal phrase rather than the established name of the method.

• ‘Analysis of Variable Averages’ focuses on averages, whereas the method partitions variance when comparing means.

Cross-check

The standard abbreviation uses the letters A-N-O-V-A exactly: ANalysis Of VAriance, confirming ‘Analysis of Variance.’

Therefore, ANOVA stands for ‘Analysis of Variance.’