done a lot of study

01:46 Dec 13, 2012 

1...scientists have done a lot of study in previous years to evaluate the probability of biofertilizer replacement...
2...The travel agencies have already done a lot of study in advance, so the programs are all very close to their interests...
3...I have done a lot of study in the first year or so of ownership and with my truck, I found that the cost per mile is lowest on premium gas.

Per KudoZ rule, I shall not question nor debate your interpretation. The above examples just to argue that a lot of study in the sense of research is not necessarily followed by on. What is studied can be found before or after it, which is only known by you.

And for sure, there are two answers already that supports belajar to choose from.

01:18 Dec 13, 2012 

The examples you give are interesting. Note that they all continue with a prepositional phrase "on X". I think that's what tips the balance in favour of the research interpretation. Whereas in the context of the interview, where no further context is given, just "a lot of study" the primary meaning of study (ie. learning) will be the most salient.

22:14 Dec 12, 2012 

Hi David, I put my comments here, so we can discuss more freely.

Google shows many lines like this:

A...I know the Ministry of Transport has done a lot of study on this issue.
B...Foreign academicians have done a lot of study work on the function of capital market ....
C...Dr. Watson, you've done a lot of study on optics...

The three parties of interest here (Ministry, Academician, a Doctor) clearly do research - they are capable and smart enough to be assumed otherwise (i.e. attending courses/schools to learn).

At a glance, most "done a lot of study" phrases with a second or third person ("you, they, doctor") tend to mean researching, whilst those with a first person ("I") tend to mean learning/taking course.

Yet, you have the full context, and this context may point to the second meaning - belajar instead of meneliti.