From WordNet (r) 1.6 [wn]:

  research
       n 1: systematic investigation to establish facts
       2: a search for knowledge; "their pottery deserves more
          research than it has received" [syn: {inquiry}, {enquiry}]
       v 1: attempt to find out; "The student researched the history of
            that word"
       2: inquire into [syn: {search}, {explore}]

The overwhelming quantity of research which was slowly revealed as the project progressed had a powerful impact on the shape of the project.