Some words common in university and research writing do not normally have a plural form, and many cannot be used with a or an. These are called noncount nouns and a number of examples are given below:

education

Incorrect

educations

Examples of correct use

a university education
Education is very important.
Most universities offer a wide range of courses (not educations).

equipment

Incorrect

an equipment
equipments

Examples of correct use

a piece of equipment
The equipment was faulty.
Some of the equipment was damaged.
Much of the equipment was out of date.

evidence

Incorrect

an evidence

Examples of correct use

The evidence points to …
There is some evidence to suggest that …
There is a great deal of evidence for …
There is no evidence of …

information

Incorrect

an information
informations

Examples of correct use

an important piece of information
some information
Much of the information was incorrect.
We have no information on …

knowledge

Incorrect

knowledges

Examples of correct use

A knowledge of statistics is essential.
The author demonstrates an intimate knowledge of …
We now have a great deal of knowledge of …
We have little knowledge of …

progress

Incorrect

a progress
progresses

Examples of correct use

We have made limited progress.
We have made some progress.
We have made a great deal of progress towards …
We have made no progress.

research

Incorrect

a research
researches

Examples of correct use

an important piece of research
Further research is necessary …
Most of our research was carried out …
A great deal of research is concerned with …

software

Incorrect

a software
softwares

Examples of correct use

a computer program
We used the following software: