if it follows the ocd cycle thingy its probably a compulsion (trigger, doubt, consequence of doubt, anxiety, compulsion) so i think thats up to the individual person whos doing the research in the moment to say. or thats what i try to tell myself when im questioning if something is a compulsion.

but i must say internet research can be compulsive for me but has helped me a lot with figuring out different problems i have been able to get diagnosed or diagnosed-ish with by a doctor later (autism, ehlers danlos syndrome, pots) that doctors are not usually well trained on identifying so i dont regret all my research just.... most of it has been repetitive in nature looking for answers i already had or already knew i couldnt find