Final answer:
Root-cause analysis is a process that starts with the end result and works backward to find the fundamental reasons behind a problem. It contrasts with regression analysis, which looks at the interplay between different variables to understand causality and relationships. Accurate analysis requires careful attention to the timeline of events to distinguish between cause and effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of analysis that begins with a result and then works backward to identify the fundamental cause is known as root-cause analysis. This comprehensive approach allows individuals or organizations to discover the underlying reasons for a problem and then address them. In contrast, regression analysis is a statistical method used to identify the nature and strength of relationships between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. Performing a root cause analysis ensures that solutions do not merely address the superficial symptoms, but rather the primary issues that cause the problem initially.
Understanding the timeline of events is critical in both root-cause and regression analyses. By grasping what happens first and what follows, a clearer picture of cause and effect emerges, leading to more accurate and effective solutions. It is important to keep this chronological order correct to successfully identify the true origins of problems and the factors contributing to them.