In _______________ analysis, the aim is to partition cases from a cloud of data into contiguous groups.

The appropriate choice for the blank in the statement is "Cluster" analysis. In cluster analysis, the primary goal is to group a set of cases or observations into distinct clusters based on similarities in their attributes. This method creates a partitioning of the data, where each group contains similar data points, and the groups themselves are as different as possible from each other.

Cluster analysis uses various algorithms to identify the natural grouping in the data without prior assumptions about the categories. This technique is widely used in market research, social science, and biology to find patterns and structures in complex datasets.

Segmentation, while closely related and sometimes used interchangeably in a marketing context, does not specifically refer to the statistical technique of clustering as a method. Instead, segmentation usually implies dividing a broader market into specific segments based on characteristics, which may not always involve partitioning cases in a contiguous manner as seen in traditional cluster analysis.

Understanding the nuances between these terms is essential for accurately identifying the correct analysis type based on the context provided.