Fact-finding: meaning, definitions and examples

Used for activities aimed at discovering and gathering significant facts, often utilized in legal, journalistic, or diplomatic contexts.

• The committee conducted a fact-finding mission to understand the root causes of the conflict.
• Journalists embarked on a fact-finding tour to report the ground realities.

Indicates a systematic and detailed search for facts, often related to crime, misconduct, or scientific research.

• The police conducted an investigation into the burglary.
• A scientific investigation is underway to find a cure for the disease.

Implies a formal investigation or asking questions to obtain information, often used in legal, governmental, or academic settings.

• A public inquiry was launched to investigate the safety regulations of the building.
• The professor's inquiry into ancient civilizations uncovered new historical insights.

Refers to a detailed inspection or analysis of something, often in academic, medical, or forensic settings.

• The doctor performed a thorough examination to diagnose the illness.
• The examination of the documents revealed inconsistencies in the statements.

Used in situations where the main goal is to gather accurate and specific information, often in formal or official scenarios, such as legal contexts or diplomatic missions.

• The commission was on a fact-finding mission to determine the cause of the incident.
• A fact-finding team was sent to investigate the claims.

Used when referring to a systematic study aimed at discovering new information or reaching a new understanding, commonly associated with academic, scientific, or professional fields.

• She is conducting research on climate change impacts.
• His research on renewable energy sources has been widely recognized.

Best suited for situations where a detailed and formal inquiry is necessary to uncover the truth, often associated with criminal or suspicious activities. This term can have a negative connotation.

• The police started an investigation into the robbery.
• An internal investigation was conducted to find out who leaked the documents.

Appropriate for scenarios involving discovery, adventure, and learning about unknown areas, which can be both physical spaces like uncharted territories or abstract areas like new ideas.

• The researchers embarked on an exploration of the Amazon rainforest.
• The students were encouraged to value intellectual exploration and embrace curiosity.