Which of the following is NOT a type of data analysis?

The correct answer indicates a choice that does not fit within the common categorizations of data analysis types used in business research and decision-making.

Descriptive analysis is focused on summarizing and describing the main features of a dataset, providing simple quantitative descriptions such as averages or percentages. It is fundamental in understanding the basic characteristics of the data.

Predictive analysis involves using historical data to make predictions about future events or trends. This type of analysis is very powerful in decision-making contexts, allowing businesses to anticipate customer behavior or market conditions based on existing patterns.

Inferential analysis goes beyond the immediate data to make generalizations or inferences about a larger population based on a sample. This involves using statistical tests and methods to draw conclusions from the data.

Correlational analysis, however, should not be mistakenly viewed as a major category on its own. While it is an important technique used within descriptive or predictive analyses to explore relationships between variables, it does not represent a standalone type of data analysis like the others listed. Instead, it is often seen as a method applied in context rather than a distinct form of analysis, which can lead to confusion in identifying it among the broader analysis types.