enquête

Enquête is a French noun that denotes a systematic search for facts and information about a person, event, or situation. It is used to refer to police or judicial investigations, administrative inquiries, and investigative journalism. The term can also describe surveys or polls in research contexts, especially when data are collected from respondents about opinions, conditions, or behavior.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the verb enquérir, itself from Old French enquerre or enquère, from Latin quaerere “to seek.” The noun forms from this verb describe the act of seeking knowledge about a matter, rather than merely gathering opinions.

Contexts and types: In criminal law, an enquête préliminaire (preliminary investigation) is conducted by police or gendarmerie to establish facts before charging someone; in some systems an enquête d’instruction (investigation by a magistrate) may follow. In administration and corporate settings, inquiries aim to audit processes, identify irregularities, or assess compliance. In journalism, an enquête refers to in-depth reporting that uncovers information of public interest. In research, enquête can denote a survey or field study collecting data from a sample.

Process and characteristics: Enquêtes typically involve planning, collection of evidence or data (documents, testimonies, expert analysis), analysis, and the preparation of a report or formal findings. They are conducted under applicable legal or professional standards to protect rights, ensure reliability, and safeguard source confidentiality where appropriate. The term emphasizes a deliberate, evidence-based approach to uncovering truth.