forskande

Forskande is a Swedish term that refers to the act of researching or the practice of inquiry. It denotes approaches and activities aimed at generating new knowledge through systematic observation, hypothesis formation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The term is often used to describe both the performers of research and the process itself.

In everyday language and academic discourse, forskande can function as an adjective or as a noun referring to people who conduct research or to research activities. For example, researchers may be described as forskande, and work in universities may be described as forskande arbete. The distinction with forskning is that forskningen emphasizes the product or outcome, while forskande highlights the activity and mindset involved in inquiry.

Forskande is central to scientific and scholarly work across disciplines, including the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. It involves formulating questions, developing hypotheses, gathering and evaluating evidence, and communicating findings. Emphasis is placed on methodological rigor, transparency, and critical scrutiny, with attention to reproducibility and openness to revision in the light of new evidence.

In education and professional practice, fostering a forskande attitude means encouraging curiosity, skeptical evaluation of claims, and continuous learning. The concept supports evidence-based decision-making and the advancement of knowledge.

See also: forskning, vetenskap.