---
title: "Analysis"
chunk: 3/3
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T03:15:17.109998+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

The synthetic proof proceeds by shewing that the proposed new truth involves certain admitted truths. An analytic proof begins by an assumption, upon which a synthetic reasoning is founded. The Greeks distinguished theoretic from problematic analysis. A theoretic analysis is of the following kind. To prove that A is B, assume first that A is B. If so, then, since B is C and C is D and D is E, therefore A is E. If this be known a falsity, A is not B. But if this be a known truth and all the intermediate propositions be convertible, then the reverse process, A is E, E is D, D is C, C is B, therefore A is B, constitutes a synthetic proof of the original theorem. Problematic analysis is applied in all cases where it is proposed to construct a figure which is assumed to satisfy a given condition. The problem is then converted into some theorem which is involved in the condition and which is proved synthetically, and the steps of this synthetic proof taken backwards are a synthetic solution of the problem.

=== Psychotherapy ===
Psychoanalysis – seeks to elucidate connections among unconscious components of patients' mental processes
Transactional analysis
Transactional analysis is used by therapists to try to gain a better understanding of the unconscious.  It focuses on understanding and intervening human behavior.

=== Signal processing ===
Finite element analysis – a computer simulation technique used in engineering analysis
Independent component analysis
Link quality analysis – the analysis of signal quality
Path quality analysis
Fourier analysis

=== Statistics ===
In statistics, the term analysis may refer to any method used
for data analysis. Among the many such methods, some are:

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) – a collection of statistical models and their associated procedures which compare means by splitting the overall observed variance into different parts
Boolean analysis – a method to find deterministic dependencies between variables in a sample, mostly used in exploratory data analysis
Cluster analysis – techniques for finding groups (called clusters), based on some measure of proximity or similarity
Factor analysis – a method to construct models describing a data set of observed variables in terms of a smaller set of unobserved variables (called factors)
Meta-analysis – combines the results of several studies that address a set of related research hypotheses
Multivariate analysis – analysis of data involving several variables, such as by factor analysis, regression analysis, or principal component analysis
Principal component analysis – transformation of a sample of correlated variables into uncorrelated variables (called principal components), mostly used in exploratory data analysis
Regression analysis – techniques for analysing the relationships between several predictive variables and one or more outcomes in the data
Scale analysis (statistics) – methods to analyse survey data by scoring responses on a numeric scale
Sensitivity analysis – the study of how the variation in the output of a model depends on variations in the inputs
Sequential analysis – evaluation of sampled data as it is collected, until the criterion of a stopping rule is met
Spatial analysis – the study of entities using geometric or geographic properties
Time-series analysis – methods that attempt to understand a sequence of data points spaced apart at uniform time intervals

== Business ==
Financial statement analysis – the analysis of the accounts and the economic prospects of a firm
Financial analysis – refers to an assessment of the viability, stability, and profitability of a business, sub-business or project
Gap analysis – involves the comparison of actual performance with potential or desired performance of an organization
Business analysis – involves identifying the needs and determining the solutions to business problems
Price analysis – involves the breakdown of a price to a unit figure
Market analysis – consists of suppliers and customers, and price is determined by the interaction of supply and demand
Sum-of-the-parts analysis – method of valuation of a multi-divisional company
Opportunity analysis – consists of customers trends within the industry, customer demand and experience determine purchasing behavior

== Economics ==
Agroecosystem analysis
Input–output model if applied to a region, is called Regional Impact Multiplier System

== Government ==

=== Intelligence ===

The field of intelligence employs analysts to break down and understand a wide array of questions. Intelligence agencies may use heuristics, inductive and deductive reasoning, social network analysis, dynamic network analysis, link analysis, and brainstorming to sort through problems they face. Military intelligence may explore issues through the use of game theory, Red Teaming, and wargaming. Signals intelligence applies cryptanalysis and frequency analysis to break codes and ciphers. Business intelligence applies theories of competitive intelligence analysis and competitor analysis to resolve questions in the marketplace. Law enforcement intelligence applies a number of theories in crime analysis.

=== Policy ===
Policy analysis – The use of statistical data to predict the effects of policy decisions made by governments and agencies
Policy analysis includes a systematic process to find the most efficient and effective option to address the current situation.
Qualitative analysis – The use of anecdotal evidence to predict the effects of policy decisions or, more generally, influence policy decisions

== Other ==
Aura analysis – a pseudoscientific technique in which supporters of the method claim that the body's aura, or energy field is analysed
Bowling analysis – Analysis of the performance of cricket players
Lithic analysis – the analysis of stone tools using basic scientific techniques
Lithic analysis is most often used by archeologists in determining which types of tools were used at a given time period pertaining to current artifacts discovered.
Protocol analysis – a means for extracting persons' thoughts while they are performing a task

== See also ==
Formal analysis
Metabolism in biology
Methodology
Scientific method
Synthesis (disambiguation) – list of terms related to synthesis, the converse of analysis

== References ==

== External links ==

Analysis at the Indiana Philosophy Ontology Project
"Analysis" entry  in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Analysis at PhilPapers