What is the act of examining closely to form a judgment called?

The act of examining closely to form a judgment is best described as evaluation. Evaluation involves making a careful assessment of something, often considering its quality, significance, or value based on specific criteria. It requires not just observation but also critical thinking, which allows one to form a judgment or opinion about what has been examined.

In the context of this question, while the other choices may have overlapping meanings, evaluation specifically emphasizes the judgment-making component after careful examination. For instance, to analyze something means to break it down into parts to better understand it, while inspecting refers to a more surface-level examination or checking for quality. Assessing carries a similar meaning to evaluate but is often more about measuring or estimating rather than forming a judgment in a broader context. Thus, the precise nature of evaluation aligns most closely with the act of forming a judgment based on a close examination.