The target variable is a fundamental concept in data science that refers to the feature or variable of a dataset that you want to gain a deeper understanding of. It is also known as the dependent variable, response variable, or outcome variable. The target variable is the variable that the model will attempt to predict based on other variables in the dataset. It is the variable whose values are to be modeled by other variables.
Key Highlights
- The target variable is the feature of a dataset that you want to predict or gain a deeper understanding of.
- It is also known as the dependent variable, response variable, or outcome variable.
- The target variable is modeled based on other variables in the dataset.
References
- Dependent and independent variables. (2022, April 28). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dependent_and_independent_variables
- Target variable. (2021). In IBM Watson Studio. https://www.ibm.com/cloud/learn/target-variable
- What is a target variable? (2021). In DataCamp. https://www.datacamp.com/community/tutorials/machine-learning-model-validation
Applying the Concept to Business
In a business context, the target variable is the variable that you want to predict or understand in order to make better decisions. For example, in marketing, the target variable could be the number of sales, while in customer service, the target variable could be customer satisfaction. By understanding the factors that influence the target variable, businesses can optimize their strategies and improve their outcomes.
In summary, the target variable is a crucial concept in data science that enables businesses to gain a deeper understanding of their data and make better decisions. By identifying the target variable and modeling it based on other variables in the dataset, businesses can optimize their strategies and improve their outcomes.
