has part is_specified_input_of is denoted by is model for data item information content entity study design dependent variable model parameter statistical model Orlaith Burke Alejandra Gonzalez-Beltran Philippe Rocca-Serra a statistical model is an information content entity which is a formalization of relationships between variables in the form of mathematical equations. A statistical model describes how one or more random variables are related to one or more other variables. The model is statistical as the variables are not deterministically but stochastically related. adapted from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistical_model last accessed: 14/01/2014 statistical model model fitting design matrix requires discussion