Final answer:
Analysis is the knowledge work activity that entails investigative and thorough examination of data and information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Analysis is a knowledge work activity that involves thoughtful investigation and examination of the available data, info, and knowledge. Unlike synthesis, which is about combining different sources and ideas to form a new understanding or conclusion, analysis digs deep into each component to understand its function, significance, and relationship to the whole. In the process of research, analysis involves collecting data and applying certain criteria to this data to evaluate it and make interpretive claims. It is a crucial step in the knowledge work activity because it allows a researcher or a professional to look at texts, media, or other artifacts to break them into their individual parts for a thorough understanding.