Investigation vs. Discovery — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 17, 2024
Investigation involves a systematic and detailed examination to uncover facts, often linked to law or science, while discovery refers to the act of finding something previously unknown or unseen.
Difference Between Investigation and Discovery
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An investigation is a process often used in legal, scientific, or academic contexts, involving a systematic search for facts, evidence, or truth. On the other hand, a discovery can occur in various fields like science, history, or daily life, focusing on uncovering new information or finding something unexpected.
Investigations typically require a structured approach, utilizing methods and techniques to explore and analyze complex situations or hypotheses. Whereas, discoveries can be spontaneous or the result of an investigation, not necessarily requiring a structured method.
The goal of an investigation is usually to solve a problem, answer a question, or find proof. In contrast, the goal of a discovery is to reveal new knowledge or insights, which might not have been sought after deliberately.
Investigations often involve an element of intent and direction, where the investigator has a clear objective or hypothesis to test. On the other hand, discoveries can be serendipitous, occurring without a predetermined goal or through accidental findings.
In essence, while both investigation and discovery involve acquiring new information, the former is a targeted search underpinned by a specific aim, and the latter is about revealing or encountering new facts, sometimes unexpectedly.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Systematic examination to uncover facts
Act of finding something unknown or unseen
Contexts
Legal, scientific, academic
Science, history, exploration, daily life
Methodology
Structured, methodical
Can be spontaneous or systematic
Goal
Solve a problem, answer a question, find proof
Reveal new knowledge or insights
Nature of Outcome
Often intentional and hypothesis-driven
Can be accidental or serendipitous
Compare with Definitions
Investigation
The act of examining something carefully, especially to discover the truth.
The police conducted an investigation into the mysterious disappearance.
Discovery
A person or thing discovered.
The artifact was a significant discovery for archaeologists.
Investigation
A formal inquiry or systematic study.
The scientific investigation focused on the effects of pollution on marine life.
Discovery
The action or process of discovering or being discovered.
The discovery of penicillin was a major breakthrough in medicine.
Investigation
A planned process to explore a specific subject.
The company launched an investigation into allegations of employee misconduct.
Discovery
Finding out something previously unknown or unrecognized.
His discovery of the hidden staircase was completely by chance.
Investigation
The process of collecting evidence and facts.
His investigation into historical documents revealed new facts about the ancient city.
Discovery
A pretrial procedure in a lawsuit for obtaining facts.
During the discovery phase, both sides exchanged relevant documents.
Investigation
Detailed or critical examination.
The report was the result of a months-long investigation.
Discovery
An insight or realization gained through exploration.
Her travels led to the discovery of many personal truths.
Investigation
The action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research
He is under investigation for receiving illicit funds
Discovery
The act or an instance of discovering.
Investigation
The act or process of investigating
A politician under investigation.
Discovery
Something discovered.
Investigation
A careful examination or search in order to discover facts or gain information.
Discovery
(Law) The compulsory disclosure to the opposing party of factual information or documents relevant to a lawsuit prior to trial.
Investigation
The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research, especially patient or thorough inquiry or examination
The investigation into the crime has led to various leads as well as plenty of dead ends.
Despite thorough investigation, the perpetrator of the attacks remains unknown.
Carry out an investigation
The matter is awaiting investigation
The case is still under investigation.
Discovery
Something discovered.
This latest discovery should eventually lead to much better treatments for disease.
Investigation
The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research; study; inquiry, esp. patient or thorough inquiry or examination; as, the investigations of the philosopher and the mathematician; the investigations of the judge, the moralist.
Discovery
(uncountable) The discovering of new things.
The purpose of the voyage was discovery.
Automatic discovery of RSS feeds by a Web browser.
Investigation
An inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities;
There was a congressional probe into the scandal
Discovery
An act of uncovering or revealing something; a revelation.
Investigation
The work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
Discovery
A pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.
The prosecution moved to suppress certain items turned up during discovery.
Discovery
Materials revealed to the opposing party during the pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.
The defense argued that the plaintiff's discovery was inadequate.
Discovery
The action of discovering; exposure to view; laying open; showing; as, the discovery of a plot.
Discovery
A making known; revelation; disclosure; as, a bankrupt is bound to make a full discovery of his assets.
In the clear discoveries of the next [world].
Discovery
Finding out or ascertaining something previously unknown or unrecognized; as, Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood.
A brilliant career of discovery and conquest.
We speak of the "invention" of printing, the discovery of America.
Discovery
That which is discovered; a thing found out, or for the first time ascertained or recognized; as, the properties of the magnet were an important discovery.
Discovery
Exploration; examination.
Discovery
The act of discovering something
Discovery
Something that is discovered
Discovery
A productive insight
Discovery
(law) compulsory pretrial disclosure of documents relevant to a case; enables one side in a litigation to elicit information from the other side concerning the facts in the case
Common Curiosities
Can a discovery be part of an investigation?
Yes, a discovery can be a result of an investigation but can also occur independently.
What distinguishes an investigation from general research?
An investigation is often more focused on resolving specific issues or testing hypotheses, whereas general research may be broader and exploratory.
What is the primary purpose of an investigation?
The primary purpose of an investigation is to uncover facts and truths systematically.
What role does evidence play in investigations?
Evidence is crucial in investigations, as it supports the findings and conclusions drawn from the investigative process.
Are there professional roles dedicated to conducting investigations?
Yes, roles such as detectives, auditors, and research scientists specialize in conducting investigations.
How does the methodology differ between investigation and discovery?
Investigation employs a structured, methodical approach, while discovery methods can range from systematic to spontaneous.
What impact do discoveries have on society?
Discoveries can have significant impacts, leading to new technologies, scientific advancements, or historical understandings.
Is every discovery intentional?
No, many discoveries happen accidentally or serendipitously.
Can discoveries lead to further investigations?
Yes, discoveries can often lead to further investigations to explore or understand the new information fully.
How do accidental discoveries occur?
Accidental discoveries occur when individuals stumble upon new information or things unexpectedly during unrelated activities.
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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.
