factfinding
Searching for truth
Factfinding is the process of gathering information to establish what actually happened or what conditions exist.
It often precedes official decisions or reports: The committee conducted a factfinding mission before recommending policy changes.
A factfinding trip or hearing aims to collect evidence rather than argue positions.
Also spelled fact-finding.
Thorough examination or tool
- inquiryRequest for information
- auditFormal accounts examination
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
scrutiny · review · assessment · inquest · due diligence · vetting · surveillance · sleuthing
Sworn statement as evidence
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- affidavitSworn written statement
- witnessOne who attests
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
hearing · corroboration · cross-examination · discovery · subpoena · tribunal · commission · proceeding
Deliberate learning effort
- dataFacts for analysis
- surveySystematic data collection
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- methodologyFormal procedural framework
empirical · qualitative · quantitative · interviews · documentation · report · findings · analysis
Purpose-driven task
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- commissionPayment for services rendered
- observerOne who perceives events
neutral · impartial · peacekeeping · United Nations · rapporteur · humanitarian · international · monitoring
probe
Thorough examination or tool
- inquiryRequest for information
- auditFormal accounts examination
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
examination · scrutiny · review · assessment · inquest · due diligence · vetting · surveillance · sleuthing · forensics
testimony
Sworn statement as evidence
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- affidavitSworn written statement
- witnessOne who attests
evidence · hearing · corroboration · cross-examination · discovery · subpoena · tribunal · commission · proceeding · sworn statement
study
Deliberate learning effort
methodology · empirical · qualitative · quantitative · interviews · documentation · report · findings · analysis · statistics
mission
Purpose-driven task
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- commissionPayment for services rendered
observer · neutral · impartial · peacekeeping · United Nations · rapporteur · humanitarian · international · monitoring · truth commission
factfindingadvocacy
Pleading for a cause
lobbying · propaganda · spin · campaigning · promotion
factfindingcover-up
Hiding wrongdoing from public
concealment · obfuscation · disinformation · fabrication · falsification
fact, finding, facts, find, finds, finder, finders, factual, factually