Which one of these statements explains what data integration is?

Data integration is a comprehensive process that encompasses various steps aimed at consolidating data from different sources to provide a unified view, particularly for analytical purposes. The statement refers specifically to the need for high-quality data, which is crucial for reliable analysis.

In the context of data integration, the inclusion of extracting refers to obtaining data from various sources, transforming indicates the modifications made to the data to fit certain formats or standards, merging denotes combining data from multiple sources, and delivering highlights the distribution of this processed data for use in analytical applications.

While the other statements mention important aspects of data handling, they do not capture the full breadth of what data integration entails. For instance, loading data into a repository or merely extracting data focuses on singular aspects of data handling rather than the holistic view required in integration. Additionally, applying business logic to source data is part of data processing but does not encompass the entire process of integrating multiple data sources into a coherent dataset for analysis.