informal research

[ɪnˈfɔːrməl ˈriːsɜːrtʃ]
nounpl: informal research (uncountable)
pesquisa informal
1. Research conducted without formal methodology, institutional oversight, or structured protocols; often exploratory or preliminary in nature
The team conducted informal research by interviewing customers at the coffee shop to understand their preferences.
A equipe conduziu uma pesquisa informal entrevistando clientes na cafeteria para entender suas preferências.
2. Casual investigation or inquiry carried out outside academic or professional frameworks
She did some informal research online before deciding which car to buy.
Ela fez uma pesquisa informal online antes de decidir qual carro comprar.
3. Unstructured data collection methods such as observations, casual interviews, or preliminary surveys
Informal research in the field helped us identify emerging trends before conducting formal studies.
A pesquisa informal no campo nos ajudou a identificar tendências emergentes antes de conduzir estudos formais.
In Brazil, 'pesquisa informal' is commonly used in business, marketing, and academic contexts to distinguish between exploratory work and rigorous scientific research. Americans and Brazilians alike use this term when describing preliminary investigations, market feedback, or casual fact-finding before committing to formal research protocols. In academic settings, informal research is often viewed as a necessary first step to justify formal research proposals.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
exploratory researchpreliminary researchcasual researchunstructured researchfieldwork observation
Antonyms / Antônimos
formal researchacademic researchstructured researchpeer-reviewed researchinstitutional research

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
pesquisa informal
Standard term used in educational and business contexts
Rio de Janeiro
pesquisa informal / levantamento casual
May use 'levantamento casual' in more colloquial speech
São Paulo
pesquisa informal / pesquisa exploratória
Business and academic sectors often prefer 'pesquisa exploratória'
Portugal
investigação informal / pesquisa informal
May use 'investigação' instead of 'pesquisa' in formal contexts

Related Words

qualitative researchethnographyfocus groupsurveymethodologydata collectionresearch designinvestigative journalism

Related Idioms & Phrases

do your homework (informal equivalent)
get the lay of the land
sniff around for information
pick someone's brain
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