The main difference between Inquiry and Research is that the Inquiry is a process that has the aim of augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, or solving a problem and Research is a formal work undertaken systematically to increase the stock of knowledge.
Inquiry
An inquiry is any process that has the aim of augmenting knowledge, resolving doubt, or solving a problem. A theory of inquiry is an account of the various types of inquiry and a treatment of the ways that each type of inquiry achieves its aim.
Research
Research comprises "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications." It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field. Research projects can be used to develop further knowledge on a topic, or in the example of a school research project, they can be used to further a student's research prowess to prepare them for future jobs or reports. To test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, research may replicate elements of prior projects or the project as a whole. The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed to applied research) are documentation, discovery, interpretation, or the research and development (R&D) of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to research depend on epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences. There are several forms of research: scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social, business, marketing, practitioner research, life, technological, etc.
Inquiry (noun)
The act of inquiring; a seeking of information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.
Inquiry (noun)
Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination of facts or principles; research; investigation
"Scientific inquiry"
Research (noun)
Diligent inquiry or examination to seek or revise facts, principles, theories, applications, etc.; laborious or continued search after truth.
"The research station that houses Wang and his team is outside Lijiang, a city of about 1.2 million people. File:The research station that houses Wang and his team is outside Lijiang.ogg"
Research (noun)
A particular instance or piece of research.
Research (verb)
To search or examine with continued care; to seek diligently.
Research (verb)
To make an extensive investigation into.
Research (verb)
To search again.
Research (noun)
the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions
"he prefaces his study with a useful summary of his own researches"
"medical research"
"the group carries out research in geochemistry"
Research (noun)
engaged in or intended for research
"a research paper"
"a research student"
Research (verb)
investigate systematically
"the team have been researching into flora and fauna"
"she has spent the last five years researching her people's history"
Research (verb)
discover or verify information for use in (a book, programme, etc.)
"I was in New York researching my novel"
"it's a piece of work that's carefully researched, strongly argued, and beautifully written"
Inquiry (noun)
The act of inquiring; a seeking for information by asking questions; interrogation; a question or questioning.
Inquiry (noun)
Search for truth, information, or knowledge; examination into facts or principles; research; investigation; as, physical inquiries.
Research (noun)
Diligent inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles; laborious or continued search after truth; as, researches of human wisdom; to research a topic in the library; medical research.
Research (noun)
Systematic observation of phenomena for the purpose of learning new facts or testing the application of theories to known facts; - also called scientific research. This is the research part of the phrase "research and development" (R&D).
Research
To search or examine with continued care; to seek diligently.
Inquiry (noun)
a search for knowledge;
"their pottery deserves more research than it has received"
Inquiry (noun)
an instance of questioning;
"there was a question about my training"
"we made inquiries of all those who were present"
Inquiry (noun)
a systematic investigation of a matter of public interest
Research (noun)
systematic investigation to establish facts
Research (noun)
a search for knowledge;
"their pottery deserves more research than it has received"
Research (verb)
inquire into
Research (verb)
attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner;
"The student researched the history of that word"
