Nieto, MichelleElsayed, MostafaWalch, Denis2018-11-062018-11-06May-18978-1-77355-023-7http://hdl.handle.net/10315/35254http://dx.doi.org/10.25071/10315/35254In this paper we review different definitions of Modal Participation Factor (MPF) available in the literature and propose a simple classification and unified concept for their application with particular focus in aerospace engineering. A case study is presented to aid the reader understand under what conditions each definition of MPF applies, its physical interpretation and which definitions have the potential to act as response tracking mechanisms during design optimization.enThe copyright for the paper content remains with the authorModal participation factorModal contribution factorsAnalysisMode trackingComputational MechanicsEngineering Analysis & DesignArticle