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noun as in examination, study

Strongest matches

analysis , exploration , inquiry , investigation , probe

Strong matches

delving , experimentation , groundwork , inquest , inquisition , probing , quest , scrutiny

Weak matches

fact-finding , fishing expedition , legwork , R and D

verb as in examine, study

analyze , consult , explore , investigate , probe , scrutinize

experiment , inquire

do tests , look into , look up , play around with , read up on

Discover More

Example sentences.

The duo spent the first year in research and engaging with farmers.

Dan Finn-Foley, head of energy storage at energy research firm Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables, compared Google’s plan to ordering eggs for breakfast.

Users will give Deep Longevity the right to conduct anonymized research using their data as part of the app’s terms and conditions, Zhavoronkov said.

There’s also the Wilhelm Reich Museum, located at “Orgonon” in Rangeley, Maine, which was previously Reich’s estate—where he conducted questionable orgone research in the later years of his career.

When we started doing research on these topics, we were too focused on political institutions.

Have you tried to access the research that your tax dollars finance, almost all of which is kept behind a paywall?

Have a look at this telling research from Pew on blasphemy and apostasy laws around the world.

And Epstein continues to steer money toward universities to advance scientific research.

The research literature, too, asks these questions, and not without reason.

We also have a growing body of biological research showing that fathers, like mothers, are hard-wired to care for children.

We find by research that smoking was the most general mode of using tobacco in England when first introduced.

This class is composed frequently of persons of considerable learning, research and intelligence.

Speaking from recollection, it appears to be a work of some research; but I cannot say how far it is to be relied on.

Thomas Pope Blount died; an eminent English writer and a man of great learning and research.

That was long before invention became a research department full of engineers.

Related Words

Words related to research are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word research . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in inspection, examination

  • investigation

verb as in put in a specific context

  • investigate

verb as in dig into task, action

  • leave no stone unturned
  • really get into
  • turn inside out

verb as in investigate; discover

  • bring to light
  • come across
  • come up with
  • search high and low
  • turn upside down

Viewing 5 / 43 related words

On this page you'll find 76 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to research, such as: analysis, exploration, inquiry, investigation, probe, and delving.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

Cambridge Dictionary

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Synonyms and antonyms of research in English

  • TO STUDY SOMETHING

Synonyms and examples

Research | american thesaurus.

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Synonyms of 'research' in British English

Additional synonyms, synonyms of 'research' in american english.

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Definition of research

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of research  (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

intransitive verb

  • disquisition
  • examination
  • exploration
  • inquisition
  • investigation
  • delve (into)
  • inquire (into)
  • investigate
  • look (into)

Examples of research in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'research.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle French recerche , from recercher to go about seeking, from Old French recerchier , from re- + cerchier, sercher to search — more at search

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 3

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing research

  • marketing research
  • market research
  • operations research
  • oppo research

research and development

  • research park
  • translational research

Dictionary Entries Near research

Cite this entry.

“Research.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/research. Accessed 12 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of research.

Kids Definition of research  (Entry 2 of 2)

More from Merriam-Webster on research

Nglish: Translation of research for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of research for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about research

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Synonyms for research

  • investigation
  • examination
  • exploration
  • experimentation
  • fact-finding
  • investigate
  • make inquiries
  • consult the archives

a seeking of knowledge, data, or the truth about something

  • inquisition

systematic investigation to establish facts

Related words.

  • investigating
  • operations research
  • market research
  • marketing research
  • research project
  • scientific research

a search for knowledge

  • problem solving
  • nature study
  • empirical research
  • opinion poll
  • public opinion poll

attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner

Inquire into.

  • cast around
  • res adjudicata
  • res ipsa loquitur
  • res judicata
  • res publica
  • rescindable
  • rescue equipment
  • rescue operation
  • rescue party
  • research center
  • research colloquium
  • research director
  • research facility
  • research lab
  • research laboratory
  • research rocket
  • research staff
  • research worker
  • Reseda luteola
  • Reseda odorata
  • resemblance
  • re-sentencing
  • Rescuscitator
  • resealing pressure
  • resealing trap
  • Research & Acquisition Communications Division
  • Research & Analysis Wing
  • Research & development
  • Research & Development 1
  • Research & Development 2
  • Research & Development Cost
  • Research & Development Costs
  • Research & Development Electronic Security
  • Research & Development Engineering
  • Research & Development Objectives
  • Research & Development Obligation Phasing Plan
  • Research & Development Planning Summary
  • Research & Educational Planning Center
  • Research & Engineering
  • Research & Innovation
  • Research & Planning
  • Research & Reconnaissance
  • Research & Technology
  • Research & Technology Laboratories
  • Research & Technology Organization
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  • Research Abroad Program
  • Research Academic Computer Technology Institute
  • Research Academies for Young Scientists
  • Research Access Incorporated
  • Research Across America
  • Research across the Curriculum
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Synonyms.com

  Vocabulary      

What is another word for research ?

Synonyms for research rɪˈsɜrtʃ, ˈri sɜrtʃ re·search, this thesaurus page includes all potential synonyms, words with the same meaning and similar terms for the word research ., wiktionary rate these synonyms: 2.0 / 7 votes.

research noun

Synonyms: investigation , exploration , examination , study , researches , inquiry , scrutiny

To search or examine with continued care; to seek diligently.

Synonyms: investigation , researches , exploration , examination , study , inquiry , scrutiny

  • research verb

To make an extensive investigation into.

Synonyms: scrutiny , examination , study , inquiry , investigation , exploration , researches

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms Rate these synonyms: 3.7 / 3 votes

Synonyms: investigation , inquiry , scrutiny , examination , exploration , learning , lore , discovery , elaboration , elimination

Antonyms: ignorance , superficiality , sciolism , misinvestigation , shallowness , oversight , inobservance

Princeton's WordNet Rate these synonyms: 1.8 / 5 votes

systematic investigation to establish facts

Synonyms: enquiry , inquiry

inquiry, enquiry, research verb

a search for knowledge

"their pottery deserves more research than it has received"

Synonyms: enquiry , inquiry , interrogation , query , question

attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner

"The student researched the history of that word"

Synonyms: search , explore

research, search, explore verb

inquire into

"the students had to research the history of the Second World War for their history project"; "He searched for information on his relatives on the web"; "Scientists are exploring the nature of consciousness"

Synonyms: seek , search , explore , look , look for

Matched Categories

  • Investigate
  • Investigation

Dictionary of English Synonymes Rate these synonyms: 3.0 / 2 votes

Synonyms: investigation , inquiry , scrutiny , examination , exploration , study , careful search

PPDB, the paraphrase database Rate these paraphrases: 0.0 / 0 votes

List of paraphrases for "research":

search , investigation , study , investigations , recherche , studies , inquiry , searches , searching , researches , investigative , recherches , researching , investigational , researchers , quest , ricerca , r , investigación , studying , finding , investigaciones , forschung , looking , retrieval , fact-finding , researcher , investigatorship , investigate , enquiry , seeking , pursuit , investigating , pesquisa , studied , examine , onderzoek , investigatory , research-based , inquiries

How to pronounce research?

How to say research in sign language, words popularity by usage frequency, how to use research in a sentence.

Stephane Piat :

This will enable us to separate production from research and development and better work on the future generations of our products.

Jennifer Hobbs Folkenroth :

We've come so far in tackling smoking with proven methods that have years of research behind them on their long-term benefits and side effects, could we now start regressing with e-cigarettes, and renormalize addiction ?

Heming Willis :

Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead, as Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.

Carrie Lukas :

Research shows that for girls — particularly pre-teens and teenagers — having a social circle and positive relationships with friends is so important to mental health, … When you rob especially young girls of those positive friendships and put them online, that's going to be really hard on them. A lot of kids' … relationships became online relationships.

Jerry Bostick :

Well unfortunately, I've learned that I'm not suited for research, I want to work on real problems.

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research synonym formal

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100+ Research Vocabulary Words & Phrases

research synonym formal

The academic community can be conservative when it comes to enforcing academic writing style , but your writing shouldn’t be so boring that people lose interest midway through the first paragraph! Given that competition is at an all-time high for academics looking to publish their papers, we know you must be anxious about what you can do to improve your publishing odds.

To be sure, your research must be sound, your paper must be structured logically, and the different manuscript sections must contain the appropriate information. But your research must also be clearly explained. Clarity obviously depends on the correct use of English, and there are many common mistakes that you should watch out for, for example when it comes to articles , prepositions , word choice , and even punctuation . But even if you are on top of your grammar and sentence structure, you can still make your writing more compelling (or more boring) by using powerful verbs and phrases (vs the same weaker ones over and over). So, how do you go about achieving the latter?

Below are a few ways to breathe life into your writing.

1. Analyze Vocabulary Using Word Clouds

Have you heard of “Wordles”? A Wordle is a visual representation of words, with the size of each word being proportional to the number of times it appears in the text it is based on. The original company website seems to have gone out of business, but there are a number of free word cloud generation sites that allow you to copy and paste your draft manuscript into a text box to quickly discover how repetitive your writing is and which verbs you might want to replace to improve your manuscript.

Seeing a visual word cloud of your work might also help you assess the key themes and points readers will glean from your paper. If the Wordle result displays words you hadn’t intended to emphasize, then that’s a sign you should revise your paper to make sure readers will focus on the right information.

As an example, below is a Wordle of our article entitled, “ How to Choose the Best title for Your Journal Manuscript .” You can see how frequently certain terms appear in that post, based on the font size of the text. The keywords, “titles,” “journal,” “research,” and “papers,” were all the intended focus of our blog post.

research words and phrases word cloud

2. Study Language Patterns of Similarly Published Works

Study the language pattern found in the most downloaded and cited articles published by your target journal. Understanding the journal’s editorial preferences will help you write in a style that appeals to the publication’s readership.

Another way to analyze the language of a target journal’s papers is to use Wordle (see above). If you copy and paste the text of an article related to your research topic into the applet, you can discover the common phrases and terms the paper’s authors used.

For example, if you were writing a paper on  links between smoking and cancer , you might look for a recent review on the topic, preferably published by your target journal. Copy and paste the text into Wordle and examine the key phrases to see if you’ve included similar wording in your own draft. The Wordle result might look like the following, based on the example linked above.

research words and phrases word cloud, cancer study

If you are not sure yet where to publish and just want some generally good examples of descriptive verbs, analytical verbs, and reporting verbs that are commonly used in academic writing, then have a look at this list of useful phrases for research papers .

3. Use More Active and Precise Verbs

Have you heard of synonyms? Of course you have. But have you looked beyond single-word replacements and rephrased entire clauses with stronger, more vivid ones? You’ll find this task is easier to do if you use the active voice more often than the passive voice . Even if you keep your original sentence structure, you can eliminate weak verbs like “be” from your draft and choose more vivid and precise action verbs. As always, however, be careful about using only a thesaurus to identify synonyms. Make sure the substitutes fit the context in which you need a more interesting or “perfect” word. Online dictionaries such as the Merriam-Webster and the Cambridge Dictionary are good sources to check entire phrases in context in case you are unsure whether a synonym is a good match for a word you want to replace. 

To help you build a strong arsenal of commonly used phrases in academic papers, we’ve compiled a list of synonyms you might want to consider when drafting or editing your research paper . While we do not suggest that the phrases in the “Original Word/Phrase” column should be completely avoided, we do recommend interspersing these with the more dynamic terms found under “Recommended Substitutes.”

A. Describing the scope of a current project or prior research

B. outlining a topic’s background, c. describing the analytical elements of a paper, d. discussing results, e. discussing methods, f. explaining the impact of new research, wordvice writing resources.

For additional information on how to tighten your sentences (e.g., eliminate wordiness and use active voice to greater effect), you can try Wordvice’s FREE APA Citation Generator and learn more about how to proofread and edit your paper to ensure your work is free of errors.

Before submitting your manuscript to academic journals, be sure to use our free AI proofreader to catch errors in grammar, spelling, and mechanics. And use our English editing services from Wordvice, including academic editing services , cover letter editing , manuscript editing , and research paper editing services to make sure your work is up to a high academic level.

We also have a collection of other useful articles for you, for example on how to strengthen your writing style , how to avoid fillers to write more powerful sentences , and how to eliminate prepositions and avoid nominalizations . Additionally, get advice on all the other important aspects of writing a research paper on our academic resources pages .

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Home » Education » What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Research

What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Research

The main difference between formal and informal research is that formal research uses scientific methods, and we can apply its findings to a larger group. Whereas, informal research uses nonscientific methods, and we can apply its findings only to a smaller group.

Research involves collecting data and information on a particular topic. Moreover, we can categorize research into two broad categories as formal research and informal research. Before conducting a research study, it’s always important to decide how formal or rigorous your study is going to be.

Key Areas Covered

1.  What is Formal Research      – Definition, Features 2.  What is Informal Research      – Definition, Features 3.  Difference Between Formal and Informal Research      – Comparison of Key Differences

Informal Research, Formal Research

Difference Between Formal and Informal Research - Comparison Summary

What is Formal Research

Formal research is a type of research study conducted using a systematic approach and scientific methods. A formal research study typically involves several components: abstract, introduction , literature review , research design and method , results and analysis, conclusion, bibliography . All in all, formal research is more scientific in nature than informal research and aims to discover new information or solve a problem. It always uses up to date, reliable sources. Moreover, the sources of information used in research are also complied using a reference system.

Formal vs Informal Research

Researchers usually begin a formal research study with a hypothesis ; then, they test this hypothesis rigorously. They also explore and analyze the literature already available on their research subject. This allows them to study the research subject from multiple perspectives, acknowledging different problems that need to be solved. In comparison to informal research, formal research tends to be objective or unbiased. This mainly happens because formal research uses scientific methods which involve objective information. If the research involves participants, for example, in surveys or interviews, the researcher has to obtain their written consent first. Furthermore, we can apply the findings from formal research to a larger audience. 

What is Informal Research

Informal research is the use of nonscientific methods to gather and analyze data. Since the research uses nonscientific methods, its finding cannot be applied to a wider audience. Most of us conduct informal research on a regular basis. For example, conducting a simple survey, informal interviews with a target audience, seeking opinions of colleagues, searching through company files, etc. are all nonscientific methods of gathering data and are therefore forms of informal research.

Compare Formal and Informal Research

Informal research does not take much time or effort. This usually involves just looking through some information or gathering some data. For example, suppose you are going to buy a new laptop. You will ask for the opinions of your colleagues and may look through some websites and reviews to know more information about laptop brands. Your decision here will be based on informal research. But it’s important to know this information may be subjective. Moreover, as this is an informal research, you might also not worry about the source of information. 

Difference Between Formal and Informal Research

Formal research is a type of research study conducted using a systematic approach and scientific methods while informal research is the use of nonscientific methods to gather and analyze data.

While formal research uses scientific methods, informal research uses nonscientific methods

Time and Effort

Informal research takes less time and effort than formal research.

Objectivity

Formal research tends to be more objective or unbiased than informal research.

It’s necessary to list the sources of information in a formal research, but informal research does not follow this practice.

Application of Findings

Findings of formal research can be applied to a larger group, whereas findings of informal research can be applied only to a smaller group.

Formal research is a type of research study conducted using a systematic approach and scientific methods, while informal research is the use of nonscientific methods to gather and analyze data. Moreover, formal research tends to be more objective or unbiased than informal research. Thus, this is the main difference between formal and informal research.

1. “ 3.1: Choosing a Research Methodology .” Professional Communications, ECampus Pressbooks, 1 Sept. 2019. 2. Johnson, Ryan. “ Take a Closer Look at Research Types and Reporting. ” Two Rivers Marketing.

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1. “ Online Survey Icon or logo ” By Tungilik – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia 2. “ Research Scene Vector ” By Videoplasty.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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research synonym formal

50 Useful Academic Words & Phrases for Research

Like all good writing, writing an academic paper takes a certain level of skill to express your ideas and arguments in a way that is natural and that meets a level of academic sophistication. The terms, expressions, and phrases you use in your research paper must be of an appropriate level to be submitted to academic journals.

Therefore, authors need to know which verbs , nouns , and phrases to apply to create a paper that is not only easy to understand, but which conveys an understanding of academic conventions. Using the correct terminology and usage shows journal editors and fellow researchers that you are a competent writer and thinker, while using non-academic language might make them question your writing ability, as well as your critical reasoning skills.

What are academic words and phrases?

One way to understand what constitutes good academic writing is to read a lot of published research to find patterns of usage in different contexts. However, it may take an author countless hours of reading and might not be the most helpful advice when faced with an upcoming deadline on a manuscript draft.

Briefly, “academic” language includes terms, phrases, expressions, transitions, and sometimes symbols and abbreviations that help the pieces of an academic text fit together. When writing an academic text–whether it is a book report, annotated bibliography, research paper, research poster, lab report, research proposal, thesis, or manuscript for publication–authors must follow academic writing conventions. You can often find handy academic writing tips and guidelines by consulting the style manual of the text you are writing (i.e., APA Style , MLA Style , or Chicago Style ).

However, sometimes it can be helpful to have a list of academic words and expressions like the ones in this article to use as a “cheat sheet” for substituting the better term in a given context.

How to Choose the Best Academic Terms

You can think of writing “academically” as writing in a way that conveys one’s meaning effectively but concisely. For instance, while the term “take a look at” is a perfectly fine way to express an action in everyday English, a term like “analyze” would certainly be more suitable in most academic contexts. It takes up fewer words on the page and is used much more often in published academic papers.

You can use one handy guideline when choosing the most academic term: When faced with a choice between two different terms, use the Latinate version of the term. Here is a brief list of common verbs versus their academic counterparts:

Although this can be a useful tip to help academic authors, it can be difficult to memorize dozens of Latinate verbs. Using an AI paraphrasing tool or proofreading tool can help you instantly find more appropriate academic terms, so consider using such revision tools while you draft to improve your writing.

Top 50 Words and Phrases for Different Sections in a Research Paper

The “Latinate verb rule” is just one tool in your arsenal of academic writing, and there are many more out there. But to make the process of finding academic language a bit easier for you, we have compiled a list of 50 vital academic words and phrases, divided into specific categories and use cases, each with an explanation and contextual example.

Best Words and Phrases to use in an Introduction section

1. historically.

An adverb used to indicate a time perspective, especially when describing the background of a given topic.

2. In recent years

A temporal marker emphasizing recent developments, often used at the very beginning of your Introduction section.

3. It is widely acknowledged that

A “form phrase” indicating a broad consensus among researchers and/or the general public. Often used in the literature review section to build upon a foundation of established scientific knowledge.

4. There has been growing interest in

Highlights increasing attention to a topic and tells the reader why your study might be important to this field of research.

5. Preliminary observations indicate

Shares early insights or findings while hedging on making any definitive conclusions. Modal verbs like may , might , and could are often used with this expression.

6. This study aims to

Describes the goal of the research and is a form phrase very often used in the research objective or even the hypothesis of a research paper .

7. Despite its significance

Highlights the importance of a matter that might be overlooked. It is also frequently used in the rationale of the study section to show how your study’s aim and scope build on previous studies.

8. While numerous studies have focused on

Indicates the existing body of work on a topic while pointing to the shortcomings of certain aspects of that research. Helps focus the reader on the question, “What is missing from our knowledge of this topic?” This is often used alongside the statement of the problem in research papers.

9. The purpose of this research is

A form phrase that directly states the aim of the study.

10. The question arises (about/whether)

Poses a query or research problem statement for the reader to acknowledge.

Best Words and Phrases for Clarifying Information

11. in other words.

Introduces a synopsis or the rephrasing of a statement for clarity. This is often used in the Discussion section statement to explain the implications of the study .

12. That is to say

Provides clarification, similar to “in other words.”

13. To put it simply

Simplifies a complex idea, often for a more general readership.

14. To clarify

Specifically indicates to the reader a direct elaboration of a previous point.

15. More specifically

Narrows down a general statement from a broader one. Often used in the Discussion section to clarify the meaning of a specific result.

16. To elaborate

Expands on a point made previously.

17. In detail

Indicates a deeper dive into information.

Points out specifics. Similar meaning to “specifically” or “especially.”

19. This means that

Explains implications and/or interprets the meaning of the Results section .

20. Moreover

Expands a prior point to a broader one that shows the greater context or wider argument.

Best Words and Phrases for Giving Examples

21. for instance.

Provides a specific case that fits into the point being made.

22. As an illustration

Demonstrates a point in full or in part.

23. To illustrate

Shows a clear picture of the point being made.

24. For example

Presents a particular instance. Same meaning as “for instance.”

25. Such as

Lists specifics that comprise a broader category or assertion being made.

26. Including

Offers examples as part of a larger list.

27. Notably

Adverb highlighting an important example. Similar meaning to “especially.”

28. Especially

Adverb that emphasizes a significant instance.

29. In particular

Draws attention to a specific point.

30. To name a few

Indicates examples than previously mentioned are about to be named.

Best Words and Phrases for Comparing and Contrasting

31. however.

Introduces a contrasting idea.

32. On the other hand

Highlights an alternative view or fact.

33. Conversely

Indicates an opposing or reversed idea to the one just mentioned.

34. Similarly

Shows likeness or parallels between two ideas, objects, or situations.

35. Likewise

Indicates agreement with a previous point.

36. In contrast

Draws a distinction between two points.

37. Nevertheless

Introduces a contrasting point, despite what has been said.

38. Whereas

Compares two distinct entities or ideas.

Indicates a contrast between two points.

Signals an unexpected contrast.

Best Words and Phrases to use in a Conclusion section

41. in conclusion.

Signifies the beginning of the closing argument.

42. To sum up

Offers a brief summary.

43. In summary

Signals a concise recap.

44. Ultimately

Reflects the final or main point.

45. Overall

Gives a general concluding statement.

Indicates a resulting conclusion.

Demonstrates a logical conclusion.

48. Therefore

Connects a cause and its effect.

49. It can be concluded that

Clearly states a conclusion derived from the data.

50. Taking everything into consideration

Reflects on all the discussed points before concluding.

Edit Your Research Terms and Phrases Before Submission

Using these phrases in the proper places in your research papers can enhance the clarity, flow, and persuasiveness of your writing, especially in the Introduction section and Discussion section, which together make up the majority of your paper’s text in most academic domains.

However, it's vital to ensure each phrase is contextually appropriate to avoid redundancy or misinterpretation. As mentioned at the top of this article, the best way to do this is to 1) use an AI text editor , free AI paraphrasing tool or AI proofreading tool while you draft to enhance your writing, and 2) consult a professional proofreading service like Wordvice, which has human editors well versed in the terminology and conventions of the specific subject area of your academic documents.

For more detailed information on using AI tools to write a research paper and the best AI tools for research , check out the Wordvice AI Blog .

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Definition of research noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

  • scientific/medical/academic research
  • They are raising money for cancer research.
  • to do/conduct/undertake research
  • I've done some research to find out the cheapest way of travelling there.
  • research into something He has carried out extensive research into renewable energy sources.
  • research on something/somebody Recent research on deaf children has produced some interesting findings about their speech.
  • Research on animals has led to some important medical advances.
  • according to research According to recent research, more people are going to the movies than ever before.
  • Their latest research project will be funded by the government.
  • Are you hoping to get a research grant ?
  • a research fellow/assistant/scientist
  • a research institute/centre/laboratory
  • The research findings were published in the Journal of Environmental Quality.
  • formulate/​advance a theory/​hypothesis
  • build/​construct/​create/​develop a simple/​theoretical/​mathematical model
  • develop/​establish/​provide/​use a theoretical/​conceptual framework
  • advance/​argue/​develop the thesis that…
  • explore an idea/​a concept/​a hypothesis
  • make a prediction/​an inference
  • base a prediction/​your calculations on something
  • investigate/​evaluate/​accept/​challenge/​reject a theory/​hypothesis/​model
  • design an experiment/​a questionnaire/​a study/​a test
  • do research/​an experiment/​an analysis
  • make observations/​measurements/​calculations
  • carry out/​conduct/​perform an experiment/​a test/​a longitudinal study/​observations/​clinical trials
  • run an experiment/​a simulation/​clinical trials
  • repeat an experiment/​a test/​an analysis
  • replicate a study/​the results/​the findings
  • observe/​study/​examine/​investigate/​assess a pattern/​a process/​a behaviour
  • fund/​support the research/​project/​study
  • seek/​provide/​get/​secure funding for research
  • collect/​gather/​extract data/​information
  • yield data/​evidence/​similar findings/​the same results
  • analyse/​examine the data/​soil samples/​a specimen
  • consider/​compare/​interpret the results/​findings
  • fit the data/​model
  • confirm/​support/​verify a prediction/​a hypothesis/​the results/​the findings
  • prove a conjecture/​hypothesis/​theorem
  • draw/​make/​reach the same conclusions
  • read/​review the records/​literature
  • describe/​report an experiment/​a study
  • present/​publish/​summarize the results/​findings
  • present/​publish/​read/​review/​cite a paper in a scientific journal
  • a debate about the ethics of embryonic stem cell research
  • For his PhD he conducted field research in Indonesia.
  • Further research is needed.
  • Future research will hopefully give us a better understanding of how garlic works in the human body.
  • Dr Babcock has conducted extensive research in the area of agricultural production.
  • the funding of basic research in biology, chemistry and genetics
  • Activists called for a ban on animal research.
  • Work is under way to carry out more research on the gene.
  • She returned to Jamaica to pursue her research on the African diaspora.
  • Bad punctuation can slow down people's reading speeds, according to new research carried out at Bradford University.
  • He focused his research on the economics of the interwar era.
  • Most research in the field has concentrated on the effects on children.
  • One paper based on research conducted at Oxford suggested that the drug may cause brain damage.
  • Research demonstrates that women are more likely than men to provide social support to others.
  • She's doing research on Czech music between the wars.
  • The research does not support these conclusions.
  • They are carrying out research into the natural flow patterns of water.
  • They lack the resources to do their own research.
  • What has their research shown?
  • Funding for medical research has been cut quite dramatically.
  • a startling piece of historical research
  • pioneering research into skin disease
  • They were the first to undertake pioneering research into the human genome.
  • There is a significant amount of research into the effects of stress on junior doctors.
  • He's done a lot of research into the background of this story.
  • research which identifies the causes of depression
  • spending on military research and development
  • the research done in the 1950s that linked smoking with cancer
  • The children are taking part in a research project to investigate technology-enabled learning.
  • The Lancet published a research paper by the scientist at the centre of the controversy.
  • Who is directing the group's research effort?
  • She is chief of the clinical research program at McLean Hospital.
  • James is a 24-year-old research student from Iowa.
  • You will need to describe your research methods.
  • Before a job interview, do your research and find out as much as you can about the company.
  • Most academic research is carried out in universities.
  • This is a piece of research that should be taken very seriously.
  • This is an important area of research.
  • There's a large body of research linking hypertension directly to impaired brain function.
  • In the course of my researches, I came across some of my grandfather's old letters.
  • demonstrate something
  • find something
  • identify something
  • programme/​program
  • research in
  • research into
  • research on
  • an area of research
  • focus your research on something
  • somebody’s own research

Definitions on the go

Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

research synonym formal

COMMENTS

  1. 33 Synonyms & Antonyms for RESEARCH

    Find 33 different ways to say RESEARCH, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

  2. RESEARCH Synonyms: 62 Similar Words

    Synonyms for RESEARCH: investigation, inquiry, study, exploration, examination, probing, probe, inspection, inquisition, delving

  3. What is another word for research

    Find 1,723 synonyms for research and other similar words that you can use instead based on 15 separate contexts from our thesaurus. What's another word for Synonyms. Antonyms. Definitions. Rhymes. Sentences. Translations. Find Words. Word Forms ... formal education. more ...

  4. RESEARCH

    RESEARCH - Synonyms, related words and examples | Cambridge English Thesaurus

  5. 17 Words and Phrases for Formal Research

    Formal Research synonyms - 17 Words and Phrases for Formal Research. formal inquiry. formal investigation. formally investigated. official enquiry. official inquiry. official investigation. official research. official survey.

  6. RESEARCH Synonyms

    Synonyms for RESEARCH in English: investigation, study, inquiry, analysis, examination, probe, exploration, scrutiny, experimentation, delving, …

  7. Research Synonyms and Antonyms

    Synonyms for RESEARCH: inquest, inquiry, inquisition, investigation, probe, inquiry, investigation, analysis, experimentation, enquiry, read up on, do research ...

  8. Research Definition & Meaning

    The meaning of RESEARCH is studious inquiry or examination; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. How to use research in a sentence.

  9. FORMAL RESEARCH in Thesaurus: 19 Synonyms & Antonyms for FORMAL RESEARCH

    What's the definition of Formal research in thesaurus? Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Formal research meaning and usage.

  10. Research synonyms, research antonyms

    Synonyms for research in Free Thesaurus. Antonyms for research. 34 synonyms for research: investigation, study, inquiry, analysis, examination, probe, exploration ...

  11. research

    From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Related topics: Education research re‧search 1 / rɪˈsɜːtʃ, ˈriːsɜːtʃ $ -ɜːr-/ S2 W1 AWL noun [uncountable] (also researches [plural] formal) 1 SE STUDY 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 ...

  12. Research Synonyms & Antonyms

    This thesaurus page includes all potential synonyms, words with the same meaning and similar terms for the word research. Wiktionary Rate these synonyms: 2.0 / 7 votes. research noun. Synonyms: investigation, exploration, examination, study, researches, inquiry, scrutiny. research noun.

  13. What is another word for "do research"?

    Synonyms for do research include learn, study, lucubrate, matriculate, apply oneself, crack the books, hit the books, learn the ropes, research and investigate. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com!

  14. Research

    The word research is derived from the Middle French "recherche", ... Though items may vary depending on the subject matter and researcher, the following concepts are part of most formal historical research: Identification of origin date; Evidence of localization; Recognition of authorship; Analysis of data; Identification of integrity;

  15. 100+ Research Vocabulary Words & Phrases

    Wordvice provides high-quality English proofreading and editing services.We have helped thousands of researchers, students, writers, and businesses maximize the impact of their writing. Here are 100+ active verbs to make your research writing more engaging. Includes additional tops to improve word and phrase choices.

  16. What is the Difference Between Formal and Informal Research

    July 21, 2021. by Hasa. 4 min read. The main difference between formal and informal research is that formal research uses scientific methods, and we can apply its findings to a larger group. Whereas, informal research uses nonscientific methods, and we can apply its findings only to a smaller group. Research involves collecting data and ...

  17. 50 Useful Academic Words & Phrases for Research

    Provides clarification, similar to "in other words.". Example The reaction is exothermic; that is to say, it releases heat. 13. To put it simply. Simplifies a complex idea, often for a more general readership. Example The universe is vast; to put it simply, it is larger than anything we can truly imagine. 14.

  18. 329 Words and Phrases for Thorough Research

    Synonyms for Thorough Research (other words and phrases for Thorough Research). Synonyms for Thorough research. 329 other terms for thorough research- words and phrases with similar meaning. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. phrases. idioms. Parts of speech. nouns. Tags. american.

  19. research noun

    research on something/somebody Recent research on deaf children has produced some interesting findings about their speech. Research on animals has led to some important medical advances. according to research According to recent research, more people are going to the movies than ever before. Their latest research project will be funded by the ...

  20. 11 Other Ways To Say "According To" (With Examples)

    11 "According To" Synonyms. Before we go over other ways to say according to, it's worth mentioning that an excellent alternative is to simply rewrite the text to be more direct.Here's an example: According to Dr. Joseph, the fracture will not heal properly if Jacob doesn't get enough rest. ↓ Dr. Joseph warned that the fracture will not heal properly if Jacob doesn't get enough rest.

  21. Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

    It can appear in research via the sampling frame, random sampling, or non-response. It can also occur at other stages in research, such as while interviewing, in the design of questions, or in the way data are analyzed and presented. Bias means that the research findings will not be representative of, or generalizable to, a wider population.

  22. RESEARCH SHOWS in Thesaurus: 100+ Synonyms & Antonyms for RESEARCH SHOWS

    Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Research shows meaning and usage. Thesaurus for Research shows. Related terms for research shows- synonyms, antonyms and sentences with research shows. Lists. synonyms. antonyms. definitions. sentences. thesaurus. Synonyms Similar meaning. View all.

  23. Synonyms for According to research

    According To Research synonyms - 88 Words and Phrases for According To Research. research suggests. according to a study. according to studies. according to study. according to survey. according to surveys. based on studies. by the studies.