A comparative analysis is a process of comparing two or more items to distinguish their similarities and differences. It is commonly used in business to compare different options so that a company can make informed decisions for its customers and itself. Comparative analysis can be used on scientific data to determine how consistent and reliable the data is, and it helps scientists ensure that their data is accurate and valid. The importance of comparative analysis is that it helps businesses focus on meaningful data that supports doing things a particular way or fosters growth by changing tactics. Comparative analysis can help narrow a businesss focus so that it pursues the most meaningful opportunities rather than attempting dozens of improvements simultaneously. There are three subtypes of comparative analysis: quantitative, qualitative, and extending the findings to a broader population. In healthcare, comparative analysis is used to compare large volumes of medical records, documents, images, sensor data, and other information to assess the effectiveness of medical diagnoses. A comparative analysis can be used to write academic papers in which two or more things are compared and contrasted.