It helps the analyst get near the confounded answer (7)
I believe the answer is:
reagent
'it helps the analyst' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'get near the confounded answer' is the wordplay.
'the confounded answer' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'get'+'near'='getnear'
'getnear' with letters rearranged gives 'REAGENT'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for reagent that I've seen before include "What causes change" , "Chemically active substance" , "Active chemical" , "Get near (anag) - substance used in chemistry" , "Chemical substance used in tests" .)