investigation, investigating

the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically

• research — systematic investigation to establish facts
• examination, testing — the act of giving students or candidates a test (as by questions) to determine what they know or have learned
• search — an investigation seeking answers
• inquiry, enquiry — a systematic investigation of a matter of public interest
• examination, scrutiny — the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
• analysis — an investigation of the component parts of a whole
• count, counting, numeration, enumeration, reckoning, tally — the act of counting
• tabulation — the act of putting into tabular form
• detection, detecting, detective work, police investigation, sleuthing — the investigation of criminal activities to determine the perpetrator
• wiretap — the act of tapping a telephone or telegraph line to get information
• surveillance — close observation of a person or group
• calibration, standardization, standardisation — the act of checking or adjusting (by comparison with a standard) the accuracy of a measuring instrument

• work — activity directed toward making or doing something