Variance Components

Variance components are parts of the total variation in data that come from different sources or factors. For example, in a study measuring students’ test scores, variation might be due to differences between schools, individual abilities, or testing conditions. By separating the total variation into these parts, we can understand how much each factor influences the results. This helps identify which factors are most important and how much they contribute to overall differences. In essence, variance components break down the overall variability into meaningful segments linked to specific causes.