In academic writing, certain nouns take one fixed verb. You conduct research, undertake a study, and carry out an investigation. These aren't the only grammatical options, but they're the ones that sound natural and professional, so learn each pair as a single unit.
Verbs that partner with research
conduct research /kənˈdʌkt rɪˈsɜrtʃ/ — The team plans to conduct research into how sleep affects memory.
undertake a study /ˌʌndərˈteɪk ə ˈstʌdi/ — Two universities agreed to undertake a study on rural transport.
carry out an investigation /ˈkæri aʊt ən ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən/ — Regulators will carry out an investigation into the safety reports.
Not ""The university aims to do extensive research." (grammatical, but too informal for academic writing)" — say ""The university aims to conduct extensive research." (the standard formal collocation)". In formal contexts the verb for research is conduct, not 'do'. 'Do research' is understood but reads as casual.
Try it: Choose the most formal, natural collocation to complete: "The department will ___ into the causes of the failure." (carry out an investigation / make an investigation / do an investigation) Answer: carry out an investigation — 'Carry out an investigation' is the fixed formal collocation, so it fits an official department report. 'Make an investigation' isn't idiomatic English, and 'do an investigation' is understood but too casual for this register.
Formal verbs for actions and effects
Some formal verbs carry a precise meaning you can't swap out. A danger poses a threat (presents one), a rule imposes restrictions (forces them on people), and a plan launches an initiative (starts it officially). Change the verb and you either sound wrong or say something different.
pose a threat /poʊz ə θrɛt/ — Rising sea levels pose a serious threat to coastal cities.
impose restrictions /ɪmˈpoʊz rɪˈstrɪkʃənz/ — The council may impose restrictions on traffic in the city center.
launch an initiative /lɔntʃ ən ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ — The company will launch an initiative to cut its energy use.
Not ""Climate change makes a serious threat." ('make a threat' means to threaten a person)" — say ""Climate change poses a serious threat." (presents or constitutes a danger)". Pose a threat means present a danger; 'make a threat' means you're threatening someone directly. The verbs aren't interchangeable.
Try it: Which sentence uses the formal collocation correctly? (The new law will impose restrictions on advertising. / The new law will put restrictions on advertising. / The new law will make restrictions on advertising.) Answer: The new law will impose restrictions on advertising. — 'Impose restrictions' is the standard formal collocation for a law forcing limits on people. 'Put restrictions' is casual and less precise, and 'make restrictions' isn't an idiomatic pairing at all.
Try it: Complete the sentence: "Before the launch, the firm decided to ___ into consumer habits." (undertake a study / make a study / build a study) Answer: undertake a study — 'Undertake a study' is the fixed formal collocation for beginning a piece of research. 'Make a study' is a common learner error but isn't natural English, and 'build a study' confuses the noun with a physical object.