undersøkende

Undersøkende is a Norwegian adjective derived from the verb undersøke, meaning to investigate or examine. It describes activities, methods, or people that involve systematic inquiry with the aim of uncovering facts or gaining a deeper understanding of a subject. The form is a present participle and can be used both attributively (en undersøkende metode) and predicatively (metoden er undersøkende).

In practice, the term is common across several fields. In journalism, undersøkende journalistikk refers to investigative journalism that emphasizes verification of sources, document analysis, and uncovering information in the public interest. In research and academia, undersøkende tilnærming describes an investigative, evidence-based approach to questions or problems. The word can also describe processes within law enforcement, medicine, or auditing that seek to establish facts through careful examination and data collection. Examples include "en undersøkende tilnærming til problemstillingen" and "journalisten er undersøkende."

Etymology and nuance: undersøkende comes from undersøke (to investigate) with the participle suffix -ende. Related terms include granskende (scrutinizing), kartleggende (mapping/exploratory), and analyserende (analyzing). The word generally carries a neutral to positive connotation of thoroughness and critical inquiry, though in some contexts it may imply a proactive or challenging stance toward established explanations.