Analysis
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'''Analysis''' (from [[Greek language|Greek]] ''ἀνάλυσις'', "a breaking up") is the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it. The technique has been applied in the study of mathematics and logic since before [[Aristotle]], though ''analysis'' as a formal concept is a relatively recent development.
As a formal concept, the method has variously been ascribed to [[Ibn al-Haytham]],<ref>{{MacTutor|id=Al-Haytham|title=Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Haytham}}</ref> [[Descartes]] (''[[Discourse on the Method]]''), [[Galileo]], and [[Newton]], as a practical method of physical discovery.
==Use in specific fields==
===Chemistry===
{{seealso|Analytical chemistry|List of chemical analysis methods}}
The field of [[chemistry]] uses analysis to break down [[chemical process|chemical processes]] and examine [[chemical reaction|chemical reactions]] between [[chemical element|elements]] of [[chemical matter|matter]]. For example, analysis of the concentration of elements is important in managing a [[nuclear reactor]], so [[nuclear scientist|nuclear scientists]] will analyze [[neutron activation analysis|neutron activation]] to develop discrete measurements within vast samples. A [[Matrix (chemical analysis)|matrix]] can have a considerable effect on the way a chemical analysis is conducted and the quality of its results. Analysis can be done manually or with a [[Analyser|device]]. Chemical analysis is an important element of [[national security]] among the [[great power|major world powers]] with [[Materials MASINT|Materials]] [[Measurement and Signature Intelligence|Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT)]] capabilities.
====Isotopes====
{{seealso|Isotope analysis|Isotope geochemistry}}
Chemists can use [[isotope|isotopes]] to assist analysts with issues in [[anthropology]], [[archeology]], [[food chemistry]], [[forensics]], [[geology]], and a host of other questions of [[physical science]]. Analysts can discern the origins of natural and man-made isotopes in the study of [[environmental radioactivity]].
===Computer science===
* [[Analysis of algorithms]]
* [[Competitive analysis (online algorithm)]], shows how online algorithms perform and demonstrates the power of randomization in algorithms
* [[Worst-case execution time]], determines the longest time that a piece of software can take to run
* [[Program analysis (computer science)]], the process of automatically analysing the behavior of computer programs
* [[Static code analysis]], the analysis of computer software that is performed without actually executing programs built from that software
* [[Syntax analysis]], a process in compilers that recognizes the structure of programming languages, also known as parsing
* [[Semantic analysis (computer science)]], a pass by a compiler that adds semantical information to the parse tree and performs certain checks
* [[Lexical analysis]], the process of processing an input sequence of characters and producing as output a sequence of symbols
* [[Object-oriented analysis and design]], à la Booch
* [[Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology]], à la Yourdon
===Economics===
* [[Business analysis]], analysing which way improvement of IT systems increases business performance
* [[Agroecosystem analysis]]
* [[Financial analysis]], the analysis of the accounts and the economic prospects of a firm
* [[Fundamental analysis]], a stock valuation method that uses financial analysis
* [[Input-output model]] if applied to a region, is called Regional Impact Multiplier System
* [[Principal components analysis]], a technique that can be used to simplify a dataset
* [[Technical analysis]], the study of price action in securities markets in order to forecast future prices
* [[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
===Engineering===
{{seealso|Engineering analysis}}
Analysts in the field of [[engineering]] look at [[structural analysis|structures]], mechanisms, [[systems analysis|systems]] and [[dimensional analysis|dimensions]]. [[Electrical engineering|Electrical engineers]] analyze [[system analysis|systems]] in [[electronics]]. [[Life cycle cost analysis|Life cycles]] and [[Accident analysis|system failures]] are broken down and studied by engineers.
===Intelligence===
{{seealso|Intelligence analysis}}
The field of [[intelligence (information gathering)|intelligence]] employs analysts to break down and understand a wide array of questions. [[Intelligence agency|intelligence agencies]] may use [[heuristics]], [[inductive reasoning|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 Team|Red Teaming]], and [[military simulation|wargaming]]. [[Signals intelligence]] applies [[cryptanalysis]] and [[frequency analysis]] to break [[Code (cryptography)|codes]] and [[cipher|ciphers]]. [[Business intelligence]] applies theories of [[competitive intelligence|competitive intelligence analysis]] and [[competitor analysis]] to resolve questions in the [[marketplace]]. [[Police|Law enforcement]] intelligence applies a number of theories in [[crime analysis]].
===Linguistics===
{{seealso|Linguistics}}
Linguistics began with the analysis of [[Sanskrit]]; today it looks at individual languages and [[language]] in general. It breaks language down and analyzes its component parts: [[theoretical linguistics|theory]], [[phonology|sounds and their meaning]], [[pragmatics|utterance usage]], [[morphology (linguistics)|word origins]], the [[etymology|history of words]], the meaning of [[lexical semantics|words]] and [[phraseology|word combinations]], [[syntax|sentence construction]], [[Discourse analysis|basic construction beyond the sentence level]], [[stylistics (linguistics)|stylistics]], and [[Conversation analysis|conversation]]. It examines the above using [[Computational linguistics|statistics and modeling]], and [[Semantic analysis (linguistics)|semantics]]. It analyzes language in context of [[Anthropological linguistics|anthropology]], [[biolinguistics|biology]], [[evolutionary linguistics|evolution]], [[language geography|geography]], [[historical linguistics|history]], [[neurolinguistics|neurology]], [[psycholinguistics|psychology]], and [[sociolinguistics|sociology]]. It also takes the [[applied linguistics|applied]] approach, looking at [[developmental linguistics|individual language development]] and [[clinical linguistics|clinical]] issues.
===Literary criticism===
* [[Analysis (Homer)]], an influential school of thought in Homeric scholarship in the 19th-20th centuries
* [[Psychocriticism]], Charles Mauron's method based on Freud's own initial interpretations of literary works such as ''Hamlet''
===Mathematics===
* [[Mathematical analysis]], the generic name given to any branch of mathematics that depends upon the concepts of limits and convergence
* [[Complex analysis]]
* [[Fourier analysis]]
* [[Functional analysis]]
* [[Harmonic analysis]]
* [[Non-standard analysis]]
* [[Numerical analysis]], the study of algorithms for the problems of continuous mathematics
* [[Real analysis]]
* [[Constructivist analysis]]
===Music===
* [[Musical analysis]], a process attempting to answer the question "How does this music work?"
* [[Schenkerian analysis]]
===Philosophy===
* [[Philosophical analysis]], a general term for the techniques used by philosophers
* ''[[Analysis (journal)|Analysis]]'' is the name of a prominent journal in philosophy.
===Psychotherapy===
* [[Psychoanalysis]], seeks to elucidate connections among unconscious components of patients' mental processes
* [[Transactional analysis]]
===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]]
===Statistics===
* [[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
* [[Meta-analysis]], combines the results of several studies that address a set of related research hypotheses
* [[Time-series analysis]], methods that attempt to understand a sequence of data points spaced apart at uniform time intervals
===Other===
* [[Aura analysis]], a technique in which supporters of the method claim that the body's aura, or energy field is analysed
* [[Bowling analysis]], a notation summarizing a cricket bowler's performance
* [[Lithic analysis]], the analysis of stone tools using basic scientific techniques
* [[Protocol analysis]], a means for extracting persons' thoughts while they are performing a task
==See also==
* [[portal:thinking#Topics related to Thinking|List of thinking-related topics]]
* [[Scientific method]]
* [[Synthesis]] - the converse of analysis
==References==
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