The Center for Multivariate Analysis is an interdisciplinary research unit within Penn State's Department of Statistics. Established in 1982 at the initiative of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, it is the first research center in the world with a primary focus on multivariate analysis. C. R. Rao, professor of statistics and holder of the Eberly Family Chair, is director of the center.
Multivariate analysis means using many variables to forecast, predict, or understand a situation.
For instance, if economists want to predict the likelihood of a recession, they might look at consumer spending. But spending is only one variable of many that affects the economy. To get a more accurate picture, a wide range of factors must be consideredfrom financial variables to human behavior and psychology. Similarly, meteorologists trying to predict the weather in Phoenix, Arizona, on any given day will certainly study local conditions, but for a more accurate forecast they need to use weather information from all over the world. Multivariate analysis gathers and puts together all possible information on numerous variables to make predictions and answer questions.