What are Factor Layer, Factor Set, Factor, and Factor ID/Index?¶
These terms describe related but different parts of factor-based results in CartoScope.
Demonstrate Example
In the table below, we use this example to explain each term:
- one map layer titled
FICTURE - 24 factor LDA with 18um hexagons - the layer contains 24 factors
- one of them is
Factor 7
| Term | Refers to | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Factor Layer | The map layer shown in the viewer. A factor layer displays one factor set. | The full layer titled FICTURE - 24 factor LDA with 18um hexagons |
| Factor Set | The full collection of factors displayed by a factor layer. | The complete factor set of 24 factors contained in that layer |
| Factor | One individual factor within a factor set. In practice, a factor often represents a spatial pattern, a cell-state-like signal, or another latent component inferred from the data. | Factor 7 within that 24-factor set |
| Factor ID / Index | The identifier of an individual factor within a factor set. In CartoScope, these refer to the same thing in practice. Factor ID/index are commonly used in factor chips, tables, summaries, and inspection results. | The value 7 used to identify Factor 7 |