Inquiry

Noun

1. The act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.
2. A search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination of facts or principles; research; investigation; inquest.

   "Scientific inquiry"

3. ↑ Google Books Ngram Viewer
4. ↑ See Pam Peters, The Cambridge Guide to English Usage, p. 282.