erforschbar

Erforschbar is a German adjective meaning “investigable” or “researchable,” describing phenomena, hypotheses, or problems that can be studied using available methods, data, or experimental designs. The term emphasizes the practical possibility of conducting research rather than the current state of knowledge. In academic contexts it is often contrasted with unforschbar, meaning not researchable.

Etymology and form: Erforschbar is formed from the verb forschen (to research) with the suffix -bar, which denotes capability, and with the prefix er- that can intensify or mark completion. The result is a compact word used to indicate that something lends itself to investigation.

Usage and nuance: Erforschbar is typically used to assess the feasibility of research programs, questions, or hypotheses. A phenomenon described as erforschbar is considered amenable to empirical study, data collection, and methodological testing. The term appears frequently in methodological discussions, philosophy of science, and science policy to express that a line of inquiry can be pursued with existing tools and approaches.

Related terms: Forschbarkeit (researchability), Forschungsfähigkeit (ability to conduct research), erforschen (to research or investigate), and unforschbar (not researchable). Examples: “Das Phänomen ist erforschbar, da praktikable Messmethoden existieren.” “Diese Hypothese könnte erforschbar sein, wenn entsprechende Daten verfügbar werden.” “Man sollte die Erforschbarkeit dieser Frage prüfen, bevor Ressourcen investiert werden.”