Which verb best conveys a careful, methodical examination in a study?

• A. assess
• B. summarize
• C. guess
• D. investigate

Answer: (D)

Careful, methodical examination in a study is described through a process of systematic inquiry. Investigate signals that kind of thorough, organized approach—researchers pose questions, collect data, analyze results, and draw conclusions. That depth of looking into a topic to uncover evidence is what makes it the best fit for describing how a study is examined.

Briefly, assess can mean evaluating something, which is part of research but not necessarily the act of conducting the in-depth inquiry itself. Summarize focuses on restating key points, not on the investigative process. Guess is incompatible with rigor, since it lacks systematic evidence.