In the context of data analysis, what is gap analysis?

Gap analysis is a systematic approach used to determine the difference between the current state and the desired future state of a process or performance metric in various contexts, including business and data analysis. It focuses on identifying performance or operational gaps that need to be addressed in order to achieve objectives.

Choosing the option that refers to identifying improvement opportunities is appropriate because gap analysis explicitly seeks to uncover areas where enhancements are needed. By assessing what exists compared to what is required or desired, organizations can make informed decisions on how to improve processes, products, or services, ultimately leading to better performance.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary purpose of gap analysis. For instance, while collecting data, identifying new datasets, or preserving data integrity may be relevant activities in data management and analysis, they do not encapsulate the essence of gap analysis, which is fundamentally about recognizing and addressing discrepancies for improvement.