research
research — noun
1. the systematic process of investigating a topic to find new information, test id
the systematic process of investigating a topic to find new information, test ideas, or reach a fuller understanding
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.
Dr. Chen's research into climate change was featured in a medical journal.
Medical research has helped doctors treat heart disease much better than before.
- 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
- ignorance
the state of not knowing — the opposite of the knowledge that research produces
文法句型
research + on/into
do/carry out/conduct research
用法筆記
Usually uncountable. Instead of 'a research,' say 'a piece of research' or 'a research project.'
常見錯誤
2. a particular project, set of studies, or published findings that examines a spec
a particular project, set of studies, or published findings that examines a specific question or problem
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.
Tariro published her research on antibiotic resistance in a top science journal.
Several of the professor's research projects explore how exercise affects memory in children.
文法句型
someone's research + shows/indicates/suggests
research + on
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
research — verb
1. to examine a topic methodically in order to uncover new facts, answer questions,
to examine a topic methodically in order to uncover new facts, answer questions, or form fresh ideas about it
Théo researched the history of coffee farming in Brazil for his thesis.
research + noun phrase
The team is researching how screen time affects young children's sleep.
research + wh-clause
Lien researched different pricing strategies before launching her product.
Emma and her colleagues are researching ways to turn plastic waste into building materials.
Sahil researched the effects of background music on students' concentration during exams.
- study
broader and less formal; studying can include learning from existing sources, while researching implies discovering new information
- investigate
suggests looking into a specific event, crime, or problem in detail
- examine
focuses on looking at something closely, often to understand its structure or condition
- explore
suggests looking at a topic in a more open-ended, less focused way, often to see what is there
文法句型
research + noun phrase
research + wh-clause
research into/on + noun
用法筆記
The object of research is a topic, question, or subject — not a physical object. For finding lost items, use 'search for' instead.