Investigate vs. Examine — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 30, 2024
Investigate involves a detailed inquiry or systematic examination to uncover facts, often implying a search for new information. Examine entails a close inspection or analysis of an existing situation or material to understand it better.
Difference Between Investigate and Examine
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Investigate is a term that connotes a thorough or systematic search with the aim of discovering information, resolving questions, or solving problems. It often involves looking into something deeply and methodically, possibly over an extended period, to uncover truths or facts that are not immediately obvious. Examine, on the other hand, implies a detailed inspection or analysis of something to assess its condition or to understand its components. The focus is more on evaluating or scrutinizing something that is already present or known, rather than seeking out new information.
Investigations are commonly associated with legal, scientific, or academic contexts, where there is a need to uncover new information, prove or disprove theories, or solve mysteries. The process might include gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and utilizing various methods of inquiry to achieve a comprehensive understanding. Examination can occur in multiple contexts, such as medical (examining a patient), academic (examining a theory), or mechanical (examining a machine), and it involves observing, testing, and analyzing to form conclusions based on existing information.
While investigating often requires piecing together bits of evidence to form a broader picture, examining typically involves looking closely at a specific item or situation to understand it better. Investigation can lead to examination as part of its process, but examination does not necessarily involve the broader scope of investigation.
The choice between investigate and examine depends on the purpose of the inquiry. If the goal is to discover new information or solve a problem, investigating is the appropriate approach. If the aim is to inspect or analyze something more closely to understand it better, examining is more fitting.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
To uncover new information or solve problems.
To inspect or analyze something known.
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Process
Systematic search, gathering evidence, interviews.
Detailed inspection, testing, analysis.
Focus
Discovering truths, proving/disproving theories.
Evaluating condition, understanding components.
Context
Legal, scientific, academic.
Medical, academic, mechanical.
Outcome
New insights, solutions to questions.
Conclusions based on existing information.
Compare with Definitions
Investigate
A thorough inquiry to discover facts.
Detectives investigate the crime scene for clues.
Examine
Focuses on assessing condition or components.
Mechanics examine engines to identify issues.
Investigate
Associated with legal and academic research.
Researchers investigate historical records for new insights.
Examine
Close inspection or analysis.
Doctors examine patients to diagnose illnesses.
Investigate
Systematic examination for new information.
Scientists investigate unknown phenomena in nature.
Examine
Can be part of the investigative process.
Investigators examine documents as part of their research.
Investigate
Aims to uncover truths or solve mysteries.
The committee will investigate the allegations thoroughly.
Examine
Involves observing, testing, and analyzing.
Scientists examine samples under a microscope.
Investigate
Involves various methods of inquiry.
Journalists investigate stories by interviewing sources.
Examine
Aims to understand or evaluate something.
Lawyers examine evidence to prepare for cases.
Investigate
Carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of (an incident, allegation, etc.) so as to establish the truth
Police are investigating a claim that the man was beaten unconscious by a gang
Examine
To observe carefully or critically; inspect
Examined the room for clues.
Investigate
To observe or inquire into in detail; examine systematically
Investigate a crime.
Investigate ways to use less energy.
Investigate whether the virus is contagious.
Examine
To study or analyze
Examine a tissue sample under a microscope.
Examine the structure of a novel.
Examine one's own motives.
Investigate
To make a detailed inquiry or systematic examination.
Examine
To test or check the condition or health of
Examine a patient.
Investigate
(transitive) To inquire into or study in order to ascertain facts or information.
To investigate the causes of natural phenomena
Examine
To determine the qualifications, aptitude, or skills of by means of questions or exercises
Students are examined with standardized tests.
Investigate
(transitive) To examine, look into, or scrutinize in order to discover something hidden or secret.
To investigate an unsolved murder
Examine
To question formally, as to elicit facts or information; interrogate
Examine a witness under oath.
Investigate
(intransitive) To conduct an inquiry or examination.
Examine
To observe or inspect carefully or critically
He examined the crime scene for clues.
She examined the hair sample under a microscope.
Investigate
To follow up step by step by patient inquiry or observation; to trace or track mentally; to search into; to inquire and examine into with care and accuracy; to find out by careful inquisition; as, to investigate the causes of natural phenomena.
Examine
To check the health or condition of something or someone
The doctor examined the patient.
Investigate
To pursue a course of investigation and study; to make investigation.
Examine
To determine the aptitude, skills or qualifications of someone by subjecting them to an examination
Investigate
Investigate scientifically;
Let's investigate the syntax of Chinese
Examine
To interrogate
The witness was examined under oath.
Investigate
Conduct an inquiry or investigation of;
The district attorney's office investigated reports of possible irregularities
Inquire into the disappearance of the rich old lady
Examine
To test by any appropriate method; to inspect carefully with a view to discover the real character or state of; to subject to inquiry or inspection of particulars for the purpose of obtaining a fuller insight into the subject of examination, as a material substance, a fact, a reason, a cause, the truth of a statement; to inquire or search into; to explore; as, to examine a mineral; to examine a ship to know whether she is seaworthy; to examine a proposition, theory, or question.
Examine well your own thoughts.
Examine their counsels and their cares.
Examine
To interrogate as in a judicial proceeding; to try or test by question; as, to examine a witness in order to elicit testimony, a student to test his qualifications, a bankrupt touching the state of his property, etc.
The offenders that are to be examined.
Examine
Consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning;
Analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare
Analyze the evidence in a criminal trial
Analyze your real motives
Examine
Observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect;
The customs agent examined the baggage
I must see your passport before you can enter the country
Examine
Question or examine thoroughly and closely
Examine
Question closely
Examine
Put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to;
This approach has been tried with good results
Test this recipe
Common Curiosities
Can investigate and examine be used interchangeably?
While they can overlap, they're not fully interchangeable as they imply different scopes and purposes of inquiry.
Is examining always part of an investigation?
Examining can be part of an investigation but is focused on detailed inspection of specific elements, not the entire investigative process.
How do professionals decide whether to investigate or examine?
The decision is based on the objective: if it's to uncover new information, investigate; if it's to analyze something known, examine.
Can one person both investigate and examine within the same inquiry?
Yes, an individual may perform both roles, investigating to gather broad information and examining specific details closely.
Are certain tools specific to investigating or examining?
Tools vary with context; investigation might require broader research tools, while examination might use more specialized instruments for analysis.
How do the outcomes of investigating and examining differ?
Investigating aims to solve problems or discover new insights, while examining leads to a better understanding of existing conditions.
Is investigation more complex than examination?
Investigation can be more complex due to its broader scope and the need to piece together disparate information, whereas examination is typically more focused.
What is the main difference between investigate and examine?
Investigate is about conducting a thorough inquiry to discover new information, while examine focuses on inspecting or analyzing something known to understand it better.
Can an examination lead to an investigation?
Yes, if an examination uncovers unexpected findings, it may prompt a more thorough investigation to discover more information.
Why is it important to differentiate between investigate and examine?
Differentiating helps clarify the intent and scope of the inquiry, ensuring appropriate methods are used for the desired outcome.
Can an examination change the course of an investigation?
Yes, findings from an examination can provide new directions or focus areas for an ongoing investigation.
How do ethical considerations play a role in investigating and examining?
Ethics guide the conduct of both, ensuring integrity in the process and respect for subjects involved in the inquiry.
What skills are important for investigating and examining?
Critical thinking, attention to detail, analytical skills, and patience are vital for both, though the specific application may vary.
How does technology impact investigating and examining?
Technology provides advanced tools for both, enhancing the ability to gather and analyze data, and making processes more efficient.
Can the public participate in investigations or examinations?
While some aspects may involve public input or scrutiny, professional investigations and examinations are typically conducted by experts in the field.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
