research

research

I

re‧search¹ S2 W1 AC /rɪˈsɜːtʃ, ˈriːsɜːtʃ $ -ɜːr-/ noun [uncountable] (also researches [plural] formal)1. serious study of a subject, in order to discover new facts or test new ideas
    research into/on
    research into the causes of cancer
    Gould was helped in his researches by local naturalists.
2. the activity of finding information about something that you are interested in or need to know about:
    It’s a good idea to do some research before you buy a house.
⇨ investigation
⇨ market research
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ do/carry out research (also conduct research formal) The research was carried out by a team of scientists at Edinburgh University. | Little research has been conducted into the subject.
   ▪ undertake research formal (=start or do research) They are planning to undertake research into the genetic causes of the disease.
■ adjectives
   ▪ scientific research Our conclusions are based on scientific research.
   ▪ medical research The charity raises money for medical research.
   ▪ historical research This is a fascinating piece of historical research.
   ▪ basic research (=the most important or most necessary area of research) He wants to conduct basic research into the nature of human cells.
   ▪ extensive research (=research that examines a lot of information and details) Extensive research has proved the theory wrong.
   ▪ painstaking research (=very careful and thorough research) She spent years carrying out painstaking historical research.
   ▪ pioneering research (=research that produces completely new information) Watson did pioneering research on the long-term effects of dieting.
■ research + NOUN
   ▪ a research project/programme The research project will be funded by the Medical Research Council.
   ▪ research findings (=what is discovered by a piece of research) He will present his research findings at the conference.
   ▪ research work Doctor Fox received world-wide acclaim for her research work on breast cancer.
   ▪ a research team The professor will head a research team working on the effects of climatic change on agriculture.
   ▪ a research student He supervised many research students.
   ▪ a research grant (=money for doing research) Have you applied for a research grant?
■ phrases
   ▪ an area/field of research This is a very exciting area of research.
   ▪ a piece of research A recent piece of research shows why marriages break up.
   ▪ a body of research (=results from several pieces of research) There is a large body of research which indicates that passive smoking causes cancer.
■ COMMON ERRORS
    ► Do not say 'make research'. Say do research or carry out research.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ research noun [uncountable] careful detailed work that is done in order to find out more about a subject, especially as a part of a scientific or academic project: Billions of dollars have been spent on research into the causes and treatment of cancer. | The University has for a long time been a leading centre for research in this field.
   ▪ work noun [uncountable] the studies that have been done on a particular subject: Faraday is famous for his work on electricity. | A lot of work has been done on hydrogen-powered cars. | Their work had an enormous influence on the study of genetics.
   ▪ study noun [countable] a piece of work in which someone examines a particular subject in order to find out more about it, and writes about what they have found: The study showed that 25 percent of adults do not eat breakfast at all, compared with 14 percent in 1961. | Recent studies suggest that our sense of smell is closely linked with the part of the brain that deals with memory.
   ▪ experiment noun [countable] a scientific test in order to find out what happens when you do something: They carried out a series of experiments (=they did a series of experiments) in order to try to prove their theory. | Experiments have shown that there is an increased risk of some forms of cancer.

II

re‧search² AC /rɪˈsɜːtʃ $ -ɜːr-/ verb [intransitive and transitive]1. to study a subject in detail, especially in order to discover new facts or test new ideas ⇨ investigate:
    He’s been researching material for a documentary.
    research into
    Ten years ago I began researching into the role of women in trade unions.
  REGISTER
    In everyday English, people often use the expression do research rather than the verb to research:
   ▪ She’s been doing some research into the history of the area.
2. to get all the necessary facts and information for something:
    This book has been very well researched.
—researcher noun [countable]