refer vs research

refer is not a noun while research is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
refer	No	No	Yes	No
research	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, research is a hypernym of refer; that is, research is a word with a broader meaning than refer:

refer (noun)	research (noun)
	systematic investigation to establish facts
	a search for knowledge

refer (verb)	research (verb)
think of, regard, or classify under a subsuming principle or with a general group or in relation to another	inquire into
have as a meaning	attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner
make reference to
use a name to designate
seek information from
send or direct for treatment, information, or a decision
be relevant to