Graduated analysis

A term coined by a medical student of the University of Nebraska, referring to the analysis of an issue based on priority or significance of each component, from least to most. The goal of graduated analysis is to be impartial. However, since the introduction of prioritization within the issue of each component could be by nature a form of bias, the practice allows for mobility within the scale. Components of the issue may move within the levels of significance in graduated analysis based on audience feedback and new data. Once a particular component has been thoroughly addressed to the satisfaction of author and reader it is said to be graduated and the next most significant issue receives additional attention.

In a scientific setting the term refers to a systematic examination that moves through various levels of detail or sophistication, similar to how a graduated cylinder measures volumes incrementally. Again, the process allows for mobility of each level or stage depending on new data or introduced complication. The process follows component analysis and completion based on the complexity or sophistication of each level until address and resolved with satisfaction proceeding to the next stage thereafter.