Search

In academia the term research is more commonly used than 'search'. It comes from the Middle French word "recherche", which means "to go about seeking", the term itself being derived from the Old French term "recerchier" a compound word from "re-" and "cerchier", or "sercher", meaning 'search'. The earliest recorded use of the term was in 1577.
Research often means evaluating, or quantifying the evidence gathered by searching.
It also refers to data gathering via instruments.
In this regard it can be seen as an indirect process, as the data becomes information via machines.

Whereas academic research may last days, months or years, search is usually quicker.
- (it may last only milliseconds, seconds or minutes).
Unless used in a technological context (e.g. text search) it is frequently a more direct process.