When we want to investigate why something has happened, it is not enough to just look at the superficial connections. Instead, we try to discover the underlying causes. For example, if the workers at a factory are on strike, we want to know what the reasons are that lie below their actions, that give rise to their discontent. We are looking for something basic at the very beginning level of a problem or mystery. Everything else builds upon that foundation.
v. 调查,研究
[计算机] 研究