Analysis means a thorough and detailed examination of an issue to know its nature, its characteristics, its status and the factors involved in all this.
The word analysis is formed from the Greek prefix ana, which means ‘from bottom to top’ or ‘entirely’; from the verb lyein which means ‘to let go’ and from the suffix – sis, which means ‘action’.
Therefore, analysis will be the action of completely unraveling the meaning of an element under study.
It is also considered that the analysis is a competition of intelligence, capable of recording and processing information to find solutions.
The word has application in all areas of life. Expressions such as political analysis, historical analysis, medical analysis or blood analysis are common. This shows that everything is likely to be analyzed.
Each type of analysis is dedicated to carefully study specific phenomena, not only in terms of the characteristics that define them, but in terms of the causes and consequences related to it.
Types of analysis
There are different types of analysis according to the methodologies or purposes to study. Among them, we can mention the following examples:
Quantitative analysis
It refers to all those analyzes that start from the study of objects or situations through the interpretation of figures. These figures can express quantity, volume, proportion, weight, etc. This type of analysis is very common, for example, in statistical studies.
Qualitative analysis
It refers to those studies that examine the phenomena from their qualitative properties, that is, from their qualities or characteristics and modes of behavior. It is frequently applied in humanistic research.
Theoretical analysis
The theoretical analysis is dedicated to the systematized study of theories and concepts, either in themselves or applied to a particular object of study. It can have several purposes depending on the case.
For example, demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical model, provide tools for the interpretation of a phenomenon or justify the observations made on the issues studied.
Formal analysis
It refers to all those analyzes that study the forms in detail, comprising not only their characteristics but their origin and context. For example, iconography.
Structural analysis
It is the one that takes as a point of study the structure of an object and the articulation between its parts. It can be used in areas as diverse as seismology, architecture, narratology, etc.
Experimental analysis
It is an analysis method that applies experiments and then studies the results comparatively to reach certain conclusions. Experimental analysis is usually applied in science.
Exhaustive analysis
This type of analysis crosses all possible variables in order to understand the phenomena within a complex context or as complex phenomena in themselves.
Difference between analysis and description
A description keeps a record of the status of an issue without addressing the causes, consequences or complexity of its process.
On the contrary, the analysis studies the ultimate reasons that caused a certain circumstance, and projects its behavior in the future. The analysis can start from a description or include it, but it certainly transcends it.
