What is the main goal of cohort analysis?

The main goal of cohort analysis is to analyze subsets of data over time. This involves grouping individuals or items who share a common characteristic or experience within a defined time frame, known as a cohort. By examining these cohorts over different time periods, analysts can gain insights into user behavior, trends, and the effectiveness of strategies or changes over time.

Cohort analysis allows decision-makers to identify patterns and variations in behavior, which can inform business strategies and enhance customer engagement. It helps to understand how different segments of users interact with a product or service, potential changes in retention rates, and the impact of specific events or changes in marketing strategies on these groups.

The other options, while related to data analysis, do not capture the essence of cohort analysis as effectively. For instance, compiling reports might illustrate performance but does not focus on the time-based analysis of specific groups. Visualizing data trends in real time pertains more to immediate analysis rather than longitudinal studies. Identifying outliers refers to spotting anomalies within data rather than examining the behavior of grouped individuals over time.