Final answer:
The correct statement about data cleaning is that it enhances data quality by removing incorrect or outdated information. It's a vital step in the data analysis process, and the changes it brings are significant in ensuring data reliability and usefulness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement regarding data cleaning is c) Data cleaning removes incorrect or outdated information, enhancing data quality. Data cleaning is an essential process in data analysis and research that involves identifying and correcting (or removing) errors and inconsistencies in data to improve its quality. It is a significant step in the data preparation phase and can have a substantial impact on the conclusions drawn from the data.
Correcting even the least common problems ensures that the data set as a whole is reliable. The changes made during data cleaning can be substantial, as they involve correcting inaccuracies, dealing with missing values, and ensuring consistency, which, in turn, considerably impacts the value and usability of the data. Thus, the value of these changes is anything but negligible. Furthermore, marginal analysis may come into play when determining the cost-benefit aspect of the cleaning process, suggesting an efficient allocation of resources.