usually the research papers get hauled off to some stockpile, more problematic if you have bins that are hauled off everywhere. It should resume by itself whenever the papers stop moving. You can see if you have any research done by going into stocks-> enhanced view-> write "research" in search, it should be with a label of "research supplies".
You cannot block the tools from the stockpiles, I've tried everything, they just keep ending up in there, especially if you have bins. Best to stop using bins completely with masterwork. Another option is to make a stockpile that only takes from the research workshop. It worked for a bit for me until BINS somehow ended up in it when I deleted a stockpile.
You can only get rid of research by setting it up in the MW menu at startup, but you'd have to start a new fort for it to take effect.
You can get infinite platinum by using a nun/priest to pray for soft metals, if you have a legendary priest/nun. In my fort I have infinite gold, platinum, iron, bronze, gems and cloth from doing this, haven't needed to mine in ages and just focused on my megaproject.
Cheers