What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
investigator
Example
The police investigator interviewed witnesses to gather information about the crime. [investigator: noun]
Example
The investigator discovered new evidence that helped solve the case. [investigator: noun]
Example
The financial investigator analyzed the company's records to identify fraudulent activity. [investigator: noun]
researcher
Example
The medical researcher conducted experiments to find a cure for the disease. [researcher: noun]
Example
The researcher published a paper on the effects of climate change on wildlife. [researcher: noun]
Example
The social researcher surveyed participants to understand their attitudes towards the new policy. [researcher: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Researcher is more commonly used than investigator in academic and scientific contexts. Investigator is more commonly used in law enforcement and legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between investigator and researcher?
Researcher is typically associated with a more formal and academic tone, while investigator is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.