analýsis

Analýsis is the systematic examination of a subject to understand its structure, components, and function. The term derives from Greek roots meaning to loosen or break apart, and it entered many languages through Latin and French. In English, analysis is the standard form, while the diacritic variant analýsis is used in some languages or contexts to reflect pronunciation. Across disciplines, analysis is a foundational intellectual activity that contrasts with synthesis, the process of assembling parts into a whole.

Across fields, analysis aims to reveal patterns, causes, and implications by breaking a complex whole into smaller parts, testing hypotheses, and comparing observations with theory. It is often iterative and guided by prior questions, data, and method.

Examples by field include: in mathematics, analysis studies limits, continuity, differentiation, integration, and functions, forming a rigorous framework for calculus and beyond; in data analysis, researchers apply statistics and modeling to summarize data and infer trends; in literary and cultural studies, textual or media analysis interprets meaning, symbolism, and context; in philosophy and logic, analytic methods examine arguments, definitions, and logical form.

Process typically involves defining the question, collecting relevant information, breaking the subject into parts, analyzing each part, synthesizing findings to explain the whole, and validating conclusions against evidence or criteria. Documentation and transparency about assumptions support reliability.

Limitations include subjectivity in qualitative analysis, dependence on data quality, and the potential for overinterpretation. Proper use often requires clear scope, explicit criteria, and acknowledgment of uncertainty. Analysis is usually complemented by synthesis, forecasting, or practical application.