What type of analysis involves unexpected results analyzed after a trial's completion?

Post hoc analysis is a type of analysis conducted after a trial has been completed, particularly focused on unexpected results that arise during the course of the study. This approach allows researchers to examine data in greater depth and identify patterns or factors contributing to these unexpected outcomes. Such analyses can provide insights that weren't initially anticipated, which can inform future research or clinical applications.

In clinical research, post hoc analyses are beneficial as they help elucidate the results that emerge from a study, especially when they diverge from the hypotheses set prior to the trial. These analyses can lead to new hypotheses and directions for future studies, making them a valuable tool for understanding the complexities of clinical data more comprehensively.