research

research — noun

1. the systematic process of investigating a topic to find new information, test id

1.nounA2
Definition

the systematic process of investigating a topic to find new information, test ideas, or reach a fuller understanding

Example

Hui spent three years doing research on ocean currents near Taiwan.

do research on [topic]

The government gave the university extra money for cancer research.

Common collocations
  • do research
  • conduct research
  • carry out research
  • research on
  • research into
  • scientific research
  • medical research
  • academic research
Synonyms
  • investigation

    more specific — an investigation looks into a particular event or question, while research is broader and more ongoing

  • study

    similar in meaning but slightly less formal; a study can be a single project or the act of learning about something

  • inquiry

    more formal and often used in academic or official contexts; implies a search for truth or answers

Antonyms
  • ignorance

    the state of not knowing — the opposite of the knowledge that research produces

Grammar Patterns

research + on/into

do/carry out/conduct research

Usage Note

Usually uncountable. Instead of 'a research,' say 'a piece of research' or 'a research project.'

Common Mistakes

I did a research on climate change.
I did research on climate change.
research is uncountable for the general activity.
I researched for my book at the library.
I did research for my book at the library.
the verb research already includes the idea of searching; 'do research' is more natural in many contexts.

2. a particular project, set of studies, or published findings that examines a spec

2.nounB1
Definition

a particular project, set of studies, or published findings that examines a specific question or problem

Example

Élise's recent research shows that bees can recognize human faces.

someone's research + shows that...

The committee reviewed research from five different labs before changing the safety rules.

Common collocations
  • recent research
  • latest research
  • published research
  • research findings
  • research results
  • research projects
Synonyms
  • studies

    more specific — refers to individual projects or papers within a broader area of research

  • findings

    focuses on the results rather than the process of gathering them

  • work

    a more general term that can include research along with other professional activities

Grammar Patterns

someone's research + shows/indicates/suggests

research + on

Usage Note

When used as a countable noun in the singular, it normally takes a determiner (his research, the research). The plural form 'researches' is rare in modern English; 'research studies' or 'research projects' is more common.

Common Mistakes

Her researches on bees were published last year.
Her research on bees was published last year.
even when referring to multiple studies, research is typically treated as uncountable.

research — verb

Word family

  • researcher
    nounA2
  • researched
    adjectiveB1
  • researchable
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Research, study, investigate, and examine all involve looking closely at something, but they differ in scope and purpose. To research is to do systematic, original work to find new knowledge — it is the broadest of the four and is used mainly in academic, scientific, or professional contexts. To study is less formal and can simply mean learning from existing materials (e.g. studying for a test). To investigate suggests looking into a specific event, problem, or crime to find out what happened or what is true. To examine means to look at something closely to understand its parts, condition, or details — it is often used for concrete objects or documents. For example, a historian researches an ancient civilization by studying historical texts and examining artifacts, while a detective investigates a crime by examining the evidence.

research ↗study ↗investigate ↗examine ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • carry out research
  • conduct research
  • do research
  • fund research
  • publish research

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'research' entered English in the late 1500s from Middle French 'recherche,' meaning 'to search closely.' The French verb 'recherchier' was formed from 're-' (again, thoroughly) and 'cerchier' (to search). 'Cerchier' itself comes from Latin 'circare,' meaning 'to go around,' which also gave English the words 'search,' 'circle,' and 'circus.' The modern meaning — systematic investigation for new knowledge — developed in the 1600s as science and scholarship became more organized.