ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Classification tree analysis

Classification tree analysis is like trying to sort your toys into different groups based on their characteristics.

Let's say you have a bunch of toys like balls, cars, and dolls. You want to put them into groups based on their properties. For example, you might put the balls in one group because they're round and bouncy, the cars in another group because they have wheels and can move, and the dolls in another group because they have arms and legs and can be dressed up.

Classification tree analysis does the same thing, but with data instead of toys. It looks at lots of different characteristics, or variables, about the things you're trying to sort, and figures out the best way to group them based on those variables.

For example, if you were trying to group people based on whether they like ice cream or not, classification tree analysis might look at variables like age, gender, and favorite color to figure out the best way to divide people into groups. Maybe it finds that people who are under 10 years old and like the color pink are more likely to like ice cream, while people who are over 10 years old and like the color blue are more likely to not like ice cream.

By using classification tree analysis, you can better understand which variables are most important in defining different groups of things or people, and use that information to make predictions or decisions in the future.