investigation
investigation — 名詞
1. An official process in which police or other authorities examine a crime, accide
偵查
針對犯罪或事件的官方調查
An official process in which police or other authorities examine a crime, accident, or suspicious event to discover what happened and who was responsible.
The police launched an investigation into the bank robbery after several witnesses called the station.
幾位目擊者打電話報警後，警方展開了對銀行搶案的偵查。
collocation: launch an investigation into [something]
Detective Andrés led the investigation that finally solved the case of the stolen paintings.
Andrés 警探帶領的偵查終於破獲了那幅畫作失竊案。
Two officers are under investigation for their actions during the protest last month.
兩名員警因上個月在抗議活動中的行為，目前正在接受偵查。
The government ordered an independent investigation into the cause of the factory fire.
政府下令針對工廠火災的原因進行獨立偵查。
- probe
More informal and often used in journalism; suggests a deep, sometimes aggressive search.
- inquiry
Slightly more formal; often used for official, fact-finding processes, especially in British English.
- examination
Broader in meaning; can be used for any careful look, not just legal or official matters.
文法句型
investigation into [something]
investigation of [something]
under investigation
用法筆記
Often used with the verbs 'launch', 'conduct', 'carry out', or 'open' to describe the start of the process. The preposition 'into' introduces the subject of the investigation (e.g. 'an investigation into the accident'). Frequently appears in passive form 'under investigation' to indicate someone is being examined for possible wrongdoing.
常見錯誤
2. A careful and detailed examination of a subject, carried out using a planned met
研究
有系統的科學或學術探究
A careful and detailed examination of a subject, carried out using a planned method, especially in science or academia, to discover new facts or test ideas.
Dr. Zola published the results of her ten-year investigation into the effects of ocean pollution on coral reefs.
Zola 博士發表了她針對海洋污染對珊瑚礁影響所進行的十年研究成果。
collocation: investigation into [a topic]
The university funded a scientific investigation of the link between sleep and memory.
那所大學資助了一項關於睡眠與記憶之間關聯的科學研究。
grammar: investigation of [something]
Further investigation of the data showed that temperature changes alone could not explain the results.
對資料的進一步研究顯示，僅靠溫度變化並不能解釋那些結果。
The research team's investigation revealed that the ancient tool was used for cutting wood, not hunting.
研究團隊的研究發現，這件遠古工具是用來切割木頭、而非打獵的。
- research
Broader in scope; ongoing work to discover new knowledge, not necessarily a single study.
- study
Can refer to the process or the published report; slightly less formal than 'investigation' in academic contexts.
- analysis
Focuses on examining the parts of something; often quantitative and data-driven.
文法句型
investigation of [something]
investigation into [topic]
investigation + that-clause
用法筆記
In academic writing, 'investigation' often collocates with 'further', 'systematic', and 'empirical'. It is frequently followed by 'of' when referring to the subject area, or 'into' for a more specific question. The verb 'carry out' is the most common partner in formal research contexts.
常見錯誤
3. The act of carefully looking into a situation, claim, or problem to find out the
查證
為查明事實而進行的檢視
The act of carefully looking into a situation, claim, or problem to find out the facts or truth.
On closer investigation, the journalist discovered that the company had been hiding its losses for years.
經過進一步查證後，那名記者發現該公司多年來一直在隱瞞虧損。
phrase: on closer investigation
Bao did his own investigation before accepting a job offer from the overseas firm.
Bao 在接受那家海外公司的工作機會之前，先自行查證了一番。
A thorough investigation of the hospital's records revealed mistakes in patient billing.
對醫院記錄的徹底查證顯示，病患帳單中存在多處錯誤。
The matter deserves further investigation before the committee makes a final decision.
在委員會做出最終決定之前，這件事值得進一步查證。
- examination
A more general term; can be quick or thorough, formal or casual.
- scrutiny
Suggests very close, critical attention; often implies suspicion.
- review
Often suggests looking back over existing information rather than discovering new facts.
文法句型
investigation into [situation]
investigation of [claim]
on investigation
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense does not necessarily involve authorities or the law. It can be used for personal fact-checking, journalistic digging, or any careful effort to establish the truth of a situation.