analyze

Analyze is a verb meaning to examine something in detail to understand its nature, structure, or parts, or to draw conclusions. In American English the spelling is analyze; in British English it is analyse. The noun form is analysis. The term derives from Greek analyein, from ana- ‘up, again’ and lyein ‘to loosen’, referring to breaking something down for examination.

Analytical work involves a systematic process: clarifying the question, collecting relevant data or evidence, organizing information, examining relationships and patterns, testing interpretations, and presenting conclusions. Methods vary by field; quantitative analyses use statistical models and computation, while qualitative analyses use coding, thematic analysis, or interpretive reading. Tools range from software for data mining and statistics to qualitative coding frameworks.

Applications span sciences, humanities, and professional fields. In data analysis, analysts extract insights from datasets. In literary analysis, a text is interpreted through its language, structure, and context. In chemistry and forensic science, analysis identifies substances and determines composition. In finance and risk analysis, probabilities and potential impacts are assessed to inform decisions and policy.

Limitations include bias, data quality, and model assumptions. Analysis aims to illuminate rather than prove; its conclusions are contingent on available evidence and methods, and often lead to further questions or synthesis rather than definitive answers.