________ involves utilizing previous information to trend appeals.

• A. Collaboration
• B. Research
• C. Analysis
• D. Reporting

Answer: (B)

The activity being tested is using existing information to identify patterns over time. In CDI metrics work, this means gathering and reviewing prior data, past appeals, denial reasons, and outcomes to see how things have trended. By examining these sources, you establish patterns—what tends to work, what common hurdles appear, and how outcomes shift over time—so you can forecast future results and shape strategies. The other options describe different parts of the workflow: collaboration focuses on teamwork, analysis is the process of interpreting data you already have to draw conclusions, and reporting is about presenting findings. But gathering and evaluating prior information to reveal how appeals are moving next fits research best.