| Futures studies |
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| Technology assessment and forecasting |
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Trend analysis is the widespread practice of collecting information and attempting to spot a pattern. In some fields of study, the term has more formally defined meanings.[1][2][3]
Although trend analysis is often used to predict future events, it could be used to estimate uncertain events in the past, such as how many ancient kings probably ruled between two dates, based on data such as the average years which other known kings reigned.
- ^ Trend analysis tries to predict a trend like a bull market run and ride that trend until data suggests a trend reversal (e.g. bull to bear market). Trend analysis is ramping up in popularity because moving with trends, and not against them, will lead to profit for an investor. WebFinance, Inc., Investor-TA Trend analysis Definition: a comparative analysis of a company's financial ratios over time.
- ^ Iowa State University Office of Social and Economic Trend Analysis.
- ^ February 2004, John Immerwahr, Public Agenda, Public Attitudes on Higher Education – A Trend Analysis, 1993 to 2003[usurped].