Research Definition and 998 Threads

Research is "creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge". It involves the collection, organization, and analysis of information to increase understanding of a topic or issue. A research project may be an expansion on past work in the field. To test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, research may replicate elements of prior projects or the project as a whole.
The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed to applied research) are documentation, discovery, interpretation, and the research and development (R&D) of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to research depend on epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences. There are several forms of research: scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social, business, marketing, practitioner research, life, technological, etc. The scientific study of research practices is known as meta-research.

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  1. GiantSheeps

    Stargazing Help with telescope/observatory data and images

    I was wondering if anyone would help me get my hands on some telescope data and images of exoplanets. I know they must exist somewhere in databases on the internet, but I haven't been able to find them myself. It would be great if one of you could show me where I could get them or even if you...
  2. F

    Why is graphene placed in a cryostat in research?

    I have been told when making transport measurements of graphene it is usually placed in a cryostat and cooled to ~ 4K. However I cannot find any sources that back this up and don't fully understand why it is done in the first place. My thoughts are that it is to measure the carrier mobility...
  3. N

    What is the Theorem for Differentiability in Advanced Calculus?

    Homework Statement This isn't a standard homework problem. We were asked to do research and to find a theorem of the form: If something about the partial derivatives of u and v is true then the implication is ##D(u,v)## at ##(x_0,y_0)## exists from ##R^2## to ##R^2##Homework EquationsThe...
  4. Chemer

    How much to research and study .

    Hi, everyone. I just wanted your advice as at bachelors level, how much material you need to study for a topic? For example, if you're asked to describethe valance bond theory applications in chemistry, should I study and write the points of VBT and give 4-5 applications and explain the theory...
  5. H

    Physics researcher/student needing new laptop

    Hello, I'm a physics student (currently a senior in college, planning on going to graduate school for a Ph.D.). My current laptop is encountering major problems, mostly small things that make it not worth investing more money into the laptop, given that it's already old. I currently do...
  6. Mr. Bitters

    How does 1st/2nd year undergrad labs compare to real research?

    i'm not sure if this is the best place to post this so if its in the wrong place I'm sorry and ill try to move iti've always loved physics. I've never been good at much of anything except math and science. Never could play an instrument worth a damn, zero athletic ability, and so forth, but math...
  7. Dishsoap

    Physics Research vs. Math Research

    Greetings all, I've had the privilege over the past 3-4 years to do both physics and math research. I'm considering both for a career, and would like to know if my experience is the norm. My physics research is in QFT (mostly modelling the pair-creation process), and math research is in graph...
  8. N

    Programs Astro vs Chemistry for Physics Major

    Hi all. I'm a prospective physics major, hoping to either go into particle physics or condensed matter research or enter tech if research doesn't turn out to be for me. I was wondering which elective I should choose for next semester--astro 101 or Chemistry 1 or CS 1? Will chemistry help me with...
  9. C

    Summer Research for Internationals?

    Hi, I'm an international student attending university in the U.S.. I am currently half way through my freshman year and I would like to be involved with some research or an internship over the summer. Almost all of the guides for research that I have found were exclusive to U.S. citizens and...
  10. edpell

    Cognitive genomics research at BGI

    The BGI corporation has a research project that is called cognitive genomics. Has anyone seen any results from them yet? They seems to be behind schedule.
  11. N

    Research into self-replicating materials/machines

    Hi. Does anybody know much about the research done on nanorobots? Particularly of the self-replicating kind? Are we far away from building these things? Will we at all ever build them, or is it just science fiction? Is this a decent area to work/do academics in for a physics grad?
  12. A

    SULI Summer 2015: Selection Process & Application Q&A

    Does anyone know how SULI's selection process works? On the application you list your top two choices for labs; does your application get sent to those two labs for the mentors to pick or is there some sort of prescreening by the DOE? Thanks.
  13. Charles Stark

    Undergraduate Math Research: Where to Start?

    I'm interested in getting involved with some research while I'm still an undergrad and don't quite know where to start. I don't meet qualifications for REU programs in my area and literature on where to start is scarce. As for field of interest I'm interested in linear algebra/matrix theory...
  14. jaskamiin

    Is physics utilized in AI research? If so, how?

    It seems to me on the forefront that Artificial Intelligence research is more of the computer scientist's and mathematician's game, but I seem to recall reading a couple of books written by physicists on the subject as well (including Penrose's The Emperor's New Mind). Is this a popular trend...
  15. Jadenee

    Research experience for non-US undergrad?

    Just finished freshmen year of university, and I would really like to have some research experience at one point before graduation. Well, I should not have much problem getting into my school's research lab since professors here are always asking us to consider joining their lab. And I would...
  16. A

    The difference between studies and research

    Hello, I will probably apply to PhD positions where I have no background and I wonder what to do. My first question is: for each project that seems interesting, should I read hundreds of pages to make sure I really like and understand the project? This would take a very long time, and for the...
  17. C

    Physics Education Research Postdoc

    Hello all! I'm getting my PhD in theoretical cosmology in August and I'm trying to figure out the intersection between what I WANT to do and what I CAN do. Does anyone know much about Physics Education Research? I find education fascinating and I'm seriously considering applying to some great...
  18. Dishsoap

    Internships for one with research experience (REUs, or no?)

    Greetings, fellow PFers. I'll begin by saying that I'm looking for a few internships for people with research experience. I'm applying to a few REUs just in case, however I hear that they are geared more for people with few research opportunities at their home university, and that isn't the...
  19. Mogarrr

    Crafting Effective Emails to Research Mentors for Summer Internships

    Greetings forum-goers, I am planning to apply for a DHS summer internship, where I am encouraged to contact research mentors (although it's stated that OSRI makes the hiring decision). I plan on cold emailing several mentors and, besides introducing myself and mentioning how I am interested in...
  20. L

    The Big Picture of Solar Research

    From a top-level view, what exactly are people working on in solar these days? Efficiency? Cost? Both? What are the parameters people really have to vary? Crystalline, polycrystalline, amorphous? Binary, ternary, quaternary compounds? Crystal structure (I have heard perovskites are a hot...
  21. P

    Best opportunities for research in theoretical physics

    What is the physics branch with better opportunities in theoretical research? For exemple many people say that there are fewer chances to get a PhD in quantum gravity than a PhD in others branches of theoretical physics. Is that true? I think that there are more opportunities in theoretical...
  22. C

    Research Topics in Statistical Mechanics

    It seems like two main applications of statistical mechanics in academia research include the application to solid mechanics/materials and the application to heat transfer. How do statistical mechanics and thermodynamics differ in these two aspects? Is it basically the same theory applied to...
  23. C

    Physics Research Project Ideas (First year physics course)

    Hello. I am a first year physics major, and a major component of the first year physics course (for physics majors) is a research project. With a partner, I am supposed to conduct a research experiment in the broad field of physics. The proposal for this project is due friday, in which we must...
  24. gfd43tg

    Undergrad research professor choice

    Hello, I am on exchange at a university where there are not a lot of students fighting for undergrad research positions, so I have pretty much any pick I want in what group I want to join, coupled with the fact that I go to a famous University makes professors to want to have me on their team...
  25. Squidie9

    Exploring a Career in Physics at 15

    I've decided that I would like to pursue a career in physics. Before I decide to devote my life to it (I am in year 9, so there's really no rush), I would like to find out more about it. However I am only 15, so most information I find is far beyond my intelligence. What I would like to know is...
  26. T

    Current Research on the Origin of Electric Charge

    Hello! I am not sure if this is the correct place for this but here is a go. I'm currently applying to graduate schools and I know that I am interested in theoretical particle physics and condensed matter theory. In electricity and magnetism we were told that charge is an axiom and it's not...
  27. 1

    Applying condensed matter physics/ soft matter physics to medicine

    What are some ways that people are applying condensed matter physics/ soft matter physics to optimize some treatments in medicine, e.g. in magnetic hypothermia?
  28. 1

    Research areas in condensed matter physics

    What are some exciting research areas in condensed matter physics at the moment?
  29. ZetaOfThree

    Current research on protein folding

    As a non-biologist, I'm curious: What are some things that current research on protein folding is focusing on? What are some current challenges that researchers are facing? I understand that the protein folding problem is a very important problem in the field of biophysics. Any experts on here?
  30. metapuff

    Math Research in Undergrad Fun? Worth it?

    I'm thinking about doing some research in math next semester... pure math, focused on Algebraic Geometry. I'm currently doing research in theoretical cosmology, and it's been going really well, but the math research sounds really interesting to me. What would grad schools think of this? On one...
  31. Hercuflea

    Math: Job prospects after a PhD in PDE research

    What would the career prospects be for someone who does a Ph. D. in Mathematics with a research focus in partial differential equations? Assuming you got some computer skills along the way like parallel computing, programming, etc? Sure, you could become a professor but most people don't make...
  32. P

    How do researchers typically come up with their first research topic?

    This question just out of curiosity, How did you guys think of what your 1st research will be about? Because there are so many researches out there and many discoveries have been made, how did you come up with a topic of your own? PS, not sure if this is the right place to post this but I...
  33. D

    How to know more about the frontiers of modern physics research?

    I'm a first year physics undergraduate. I'm trying to look for some research opportunities as becoming a physicist is always my target. However, I simply have no idea how the current research is going on, and before I approach any professors I guess I should already have some basic understanding...
  34. A

    Vibrations of a circular membrane with free ends

    Hello, As of this moment I am trying to get in the process of writing an Extended Essay on Chladni Plates, more specifically on a circular vibrating membrane with free ends. To begin with I thought the concept could be simplified to such an extent where I could take a cross-section of the plate...
  35. Z

    Question: physics research budget

    I was wondering if anyone happened to know roughly how much does the average university physics professor spend each year on supplies for performing their experiments. I'm assuming that experimentalists would on average be spending a lot more on equipment than theory people who might only be...
  36. Greg Bernhardt

    The top 100 most-cited research of all time

    The top 100 papers Nature explores the most-cited research of all time. http://www.nature.com/news/the-top-100-papers-1.16224
  37. W

    Are there paid internships in research for good causes in undeveloped countries?

    Hello, Does anyone know if any companies working for good causes (water filters, disease control, agricultural improvements) in undeveloped countries have paid internships for the summer (if not paid, at least room and board). Actually I'll even take good unpaid internship opportunities. I'd...
  38. Vannay

    Doing research for dissertation outside of the home department?

    Looking at different graduate programs to apply to for physics focusing on biological physics. Very different research going on from school to school in the field so most of the criteria I'm basing where I apply is what kind of research is listed. My understanding of the process at your given...
  39. J

    Can I do undergrad research and summer classes at another school?

    I'm planning on going to graduate school, and that means I'll need research experience. Now, double-majoring in electrical engineering and physics, my semester schedules are too rough for me to take up research, but I was thinking of doing it over the summer. However, the university I'm at is...
  40. Q

    How to know if research project is going anywhere?

    As an undergraduate, how do you know when your adviser actually intends for you to get work done and do something that might be publishable? I'm in a liberal arts college with low emphasis on research, so sometimes I have this paranoid feeling that my adviser doesn't actually care whether I even...
  41. J

    Advice for Incoming Undergrad On Post-Baccalaureate Optionality

    Hi all! I'm trying to decide between Smith, Wellesley, and Wesleyan. I'm interested in their neuroscience programs, and have heard great things about all of them. However, quite a few factors are at play here: FA, Post-doc optionality if I want to do med school (not sure about career path yet)...
  42. Shing Ernst

    Recent important observations on dark matter for an undergrad research

    I would love some suggestions about my undergraduate research, thought it may be improper to ask here. I apology if I break the group rules. My undergraduate research topic is dark matter. My plan so far is to study important observations before making other progress. I have found an...
  43. P

    Ph.D in astrophysics having research experiences in nanoelectronics

    I am from India. I have done B.Sc in electronics, M.Sc in electronics, M.Tech in nanoelectronics and currently have four years of research experiences in nanoelectronics. But now I want to shift from this career and get a Ph.D in astrophysics from the universities in USA. Can anyone tell me is...
  44. M

    Should I switch professors for my Master's thesis?

    Hey PF! If any of you have experience as a graduate student or a professor please help me out here. I'm a Master's student in mechanical engineering doing research for a professor now and I really don't like what I'm working on. I've told the professor this and he said this is temporary and...
  45. B

    Research -- "Ziemlich Frech : Einstein versus Nernst"

    I am writing an essay on "Ziemlich Frech : Einstein versus Nernst". I can find very little information on this topic anywhere. I've searched the library and the internet and don't have anything certain yet. So far I'm at a stage where I believe it could be about Einstein Solids. I know that...
  46. moriheru

    Introductory Books for Research in Bosonic String Theory

    I am looking for introductiory books on gauge theory and conformalfield theory and polyakov integrals for research in Bosonic string theory. Any other material recommendations for String theory that are necessary for bosonic string theory or heterotic string theory are definelty apreciated. To...
  47. NATURE.M

    Research Opportunities for Canadian Student

    Hey, I am currently looking for potential 2015 summer research opportunities. And as the title suggests I am a 2nd year Canadian undergraduate physics and computer science student, hence places like NASA are not possible since such opportunities require US citizenship. I know its earlier...
  48. Q

    How Can We Best Understand a System?

    Hi, I was wondering if this makes sense and would appreciate pointers to relevant topics... Basic idea is that if you want to understand a system you need to 'reason' on the level of the system and not on the level of its parts. Analogy (borrowed from Tania Lombrozo from here) is that of...
  49. S

    E-mailing professor about research opportunities

    I'm an EE undergrad senior here, and I want to get some work in at a research lab here on campus. I have a solid GPA and decent relationship with professors, and now I want to do some work. I've been trolling the faculty profiles (reading their research interests) to decide who I might want to...
  50. Richa Sharma

    Career path for physics (Pure research)

    Hi guys! Sorry I'm new so the questions might seen a bit vague but I'm unclear about a lots of things I want to make a career purely in physics, I'd prefer cosmology and theoretical physics because that was I was so interested in from beginning. But I've heard the career in theoretical physics...
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