What is regression analysis used for?

Regression analysis is a statistical method used to examine the relationships between variables, and it plays a crucial role in predicting values based on these relationships. By modeling the connections between dependent and independent variables, regression allows analysts to understand how changes in one variable may affect another. For instance, if you're trying to predict sales based on advertising spend, regression analysis helps quantify that relationship and forecast future sales based on different advertising strategies.

This method is particularly useful in a variety of fields, from economics to biology, as it can highlight trends, enable hypothesis testing, and inform decision-making processes based on data-driven insights. In contrast to the other options, which focus on different aspects of data handling and analysis, regression specifically targets understanding and predicting values based on variable relationships.