Research is

Research is a purposeful, systematic activity carried out to answer questions and build knowledge in an orderly way.

Saying it is conducted for purely academic purposes is too narrow, since research also serves applied ends.

Saying it is conducted only to answer questions about practical issues ignores basic research.

Describing it as a random, unplanned process of discovery contradicts its systematic nature.

Research follows a planned design with defined objectives and methods.

Its purposeful, systematic character separates it from casual observation.