Analysis Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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analysis

[əˈnæləsɪs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

scientific research

The process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it.

Synonyms

examination, investigation, study.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
analysis

Used when breaking down information or data to understand it better or to draw conclusions.

  • The financial analysis helped us understand the market trends.
  • A detailed analysis of the survey results was conducted.
examination

Used when carefully looking at something to understand it or find specific details; often associated with medical or academic contexts.

  • The doctor conducted a thorough examination of the patient.
  • She passed her final examinations with flying colors.
study

Used when devoting time and attention to acquiring knowledge on a specific subject, often academic or scientific.

  • He conducted a study on the effects of sleep deprivation.
  • They are planning to study the migration patterns of birds.
investigation

Used when looking into something deeply to find out the truth or facts, usually in legal, scientific, or journalistic contexts.

  • The police launched an investigation into the robbery.
  • A scientific investigation was carried out to test the new theory.

Examples of usage

  • The analysis of the data revealed interesting patterns.
  • She conducted a thorough analysis of the experiment results.
Context #2 | Noun

linguistics

The separation of words or phrases into their components in order to understand the structure, meaning, and function of each part.

Synonyms

parsing, parsing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
analysis

This word is commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional settings to refer to a detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

  • The analysis of the data revealed some interesting trends.
  • Her analysis was thorough and well-organized, covering all aspects of the problem.
parsing

Mostly used in computer science or linguistics to describe breaking down a text into its component parts to understand its structure.

  • The parser is responsible for parsing the code and identifying any syntax errors.
  • She spent hours parsing the sentence to understand its grammatical structure.

Examples of usage

  • Syntactic analysis helps us understand how sentences are constructed.
  • Morphological analysis focuses on word formation and structure.
Context #3 | Noun

financial

The examination and evaluation of financial information for decision-making purposes.

Synonyms

appraisal, assessment, evaluation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
analysis

Typically used in scientific, technical, or detailed contexts where a thorough examination of components or data is required.

  • The scientist presented an analysis of the water samples
  • The financial analysis showed the company's potential for growth
evaluation

Typically used when determining the effectiveness or value of something through a detailed and systematic process, often in professional, educational, or product review contexts.

  • The committee conducted an evaluation of the new policy's impact
  • We need a thorough evaluation of the software's usability
assessment

Used in educational, medical, or general contexts where a judgment or measurement of knowledge, ability, or condition is made.

  • The teacher conducted an assessment of the students' progress
  • The doctor performed an assessment of the patient's health
appraisal

Commonly used in contexts where a judgment of value, quality, or performance is given, often related to real estate, art, or employee performance.

  • The appraisal of the painting revealed it to be worth millions
  • She received a positive appraisal in her performance review

Examples of usage

  • Financial analysis is crucial for assessing the performance of a company.
  • The analyst presented a detailed analysis of the company's balance sheet.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In scientific research, analysis typically involves data interpretation to draw conclusions from experiments or surveys.
  • Quantitative and qualitative analyses are two major types, where quantitative deals with numbers and qualitative focuses on descriptions and qualities.
  • Statistical methods are key in analysis, allowing researchers to determine the significance of their findings.

Psychology

  • In psychology, analysis often involves examining behaviors and thoughts to uncover underlying motivations or patterns.
  • Freudian psychoanalysis focuses on understanding the unconscious mind and how it influences behavior.
  • Cognitive behavioral analysis helps in therapy by breaking down mental processes to address issues like anxiety or depression.

Education

  • Analysis is a crucial skill taught in schools, helping students learn how to critically evaluate information and arguments.
  • In writing, analysis involves examining texts or arguments, encouraging deeper understanding and interpretation.
  • Educational assessments often require analysis of data to evaluate student performance and learning outcomes.

Literature

  • Literary analysis examines themes, characters, and plot structure to gain insights into a story's deeper meanings.
  • This type of analysis can reveal societal influences and the author's intentions behind a piece of literature.
  • Famous literary theorists like Roland Barthes and T.S. Eliot have radically altered the way we interpret texts through structured analysis.

Origin of 'analysis'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek 'analusis', meaning 'a breaking up', indicating the process of breaking something into smaller parts.
  • In the 14th century, it entered Middle English through Old French, reflecting its long history in the study of different subjects.
  • Initially used in philosophy and rhetoric, it has expanded into various fields including science, literature, and social sciences.

The word 'analysis' originated from the Greek word 'analusis', meaning 'a breaking up', which in turn comes from 'ana-' meaning 'up' and 'luein' meaning 'to loosen'. The concept of analysis has been fundamental in various fields such as science, linguistics, and finance, enabling a deeper understanding through dissection and examination of components.


See also: analytical, analytically, analyzer, analyzing, overanalyze, overanalyzing, reanalysis, reanalyze.

Word Frequency Rank

With position #356, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.