調査

The word "chousa" refers to a systematic process of gathering information, examining facts, or analyzing a situation to reach a conclusion or uncover a truth. It is a formal term used across various professional domains, including law enforcement, business, academia, and government administration.

Depending on the context, the English translation shifts significantly. In a legal or criminal context, it translates to "investigation" (though "sousa" is more specific to police work). In a business or sociological context, it translates to "survey" or "market research." In a technical or scientific context, it translates to "inspection" or "site survey."

Compared to "kenkyuu" (research/study), "chousa" is more focused on gathering existing facts or data rather than developing new theories or deep academic exploration. While "kenkyuu" is an intellectual pursuit of knowledge, "chousa" is often a practical task to clarify a specific point or status quo.

In professional settings, it is frequently paired with verbs like "okonau" (to conduct) or "jisshi suru" (to implement/carry out). When a company or individual is being audited or investigated by an authority, the expression "chousa ga hairu" (an investigation has entered/started) is commonly used.