One of the main uses of _____________ analysis is data reduction.

Cluster analysis is a statistical technique that groups a set of objects in such a way that objects in the same group (or cluster) are more similar to each other than to those in other groups. One of the main objectives of cluster analysis is data reduction, as it simplifies large datasets by identifying and summarizing the inherent structures or patterns within the data.

By aggregating similar observations, cluster analysis enables analysts to reduce the complexity of the data while retaining its essential characteristics. This is particularly useful in scenarios where datasets contain a large number of variables or observations, as it allows for easier interpretation and better visualization of the data.

In contrast, explanatory analysis focuses on interpreting relationships between variables, data analysis refers to the overall process of inspecting, cleansing, and modeling data, and sequence analysis deals with understanding ordered sequences rather than simplifying data. Thus, cluster analysis stands out as the most relevant method for achieving data reduction in this context.