Telaah

Telaah is a term used in Indonesian and Malay that denotes examination, analysis, review, or critique. It refers to a careful and systematic study of a subject, document, or situation, typically to draw conclusions, assess quality, or understand implications. The word functions as a noun, and in active forms the related verb form is menelaah, meaning to examine or analyze.

In academic and professional contexts, telaah appears in several common phrases. Telaah pustaka, or literature review, summarises and critiques existing scholarship on a topic. Telaah data refers to the analysis of data to evaluate reliability and meaning. Politically or legally oriented usage includes telaah kebijakan (policy analysis) or telaah hukum (legal critique), where evidence, assumptions, and consequences are examined.

Nuance and usage distinctions

Telaah emphasizes a structured, critical approach and is often used in formal writing. It implies not just listing information but evaluating sources, methods, or outcomes. Related terms include kajian (study or examination, sometimes broader or more descriptive), analisis (analytic breakdown of parts), evaluasi (evaluation of value or effectiveness), and studi (a study or investigation). While these terms overlap, telaah commonly signals a deliberate, scrutinising process intended to reveal strengths, weaknesses, and implications.

Overall, telaah serves as a key concept in research, policy analysis, journalism, and scholarly discourse for describing rigorous examination aimed at deeper understanding and informed judgment.