What is a regression analysis?

Regression analysis is fundamentally a statistical method used to examine the relationship between variables. It helps identify how the dependent variable changes when one or more independent variables are varied. This technique is pivotal in understanding the strength and nature of those relationships, which can be critical for making informed predictions and decisions based on data.

By establishing a mathematical model, regression analysis allows researchers and analysts to quantify the relationship and assess its statistical significance. This is particularly useful in fields such as economics, social sciences, and business, where predicting future outcomes based on historical data is key to strategic decision-making.

The other options address elements relevant to data analysis but do not capture the essence of regression analysis. For example, visualizing data trends is an exploratory technique, cleaning data refers to preparing the data for analysis, and data governance pertains to the management of data integrity and usage within an organization. While these are all important aspects of data-driven decision-making, they do not specifically represent what regression analysis entails.