I. re ‧ search 1 S2 W1 AC /rɪˈsɜːtʃ, ˈriːsɜːtʃ $ -ɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable] ( also researches [plural] formal )
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ search , ↑ research , ↑ researcher ; verb : ↑ search , ↑ research ; adverb : ↑ searchingly ; adjective : ↑ searching ]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ research , ↑ researcher ; verb : ↑ research ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: recerche , from recerchier 'to find out about something thoroughly' , from cerchier ; ⇨ ↑ search 2 ]
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
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ do/carry out research ( also conduct research formal )
The research was carried out by a team of scientists at Edinburgh University.
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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 .
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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.
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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.
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A lot of work has been done on hydrogen-powered cars.
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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.
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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.
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Experiments have shown that there is an increased risk of some forms of cancer.
II. re ‧ search 2 AC /rɪˈsɜːtʃ $ -ɜːr-/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ search , ↑ research , ↑ researcher ; verb : ↑ search , ↑ research ; adverb : ↑ searchingly ; adjective : ↑ searching ]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ research , ↑ researcher ; verb : ↑ research ]
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]