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. N

    Which Field of Theoretical Physics Involves Research in Superconductivity?

    What field in theoretical physics can you enter to do research in superconductivity?
  2. C

    What Are the Key Differences Between Graduate and Undergraduate Research?

    I understand that undergraduate research is big at UCSC and that it is required for both of my prospective majors (physics and robotics engineering). What I'm trying to figure out is the specific differences between undergraduate and graduate research. I would guess that undergraduate reseach...
  3. E

    Research study on Digital Delay/Pulse Generators

    Hello everyone, I am doing a little bit of research on Digital Delay and Pulse Generators, and I would like to ask a question to anyone who works with that kind of equipment. How do you choose a DD/PG? The main criterion I guess should be it's function (DD/PG models are normally very...
  4. P

    HHMI Research Scholars Opportunity

    Hello, everyone. I am an undergrad physics major - returned to school after many years, in case you had forgotten *_* It is almost Fall and time to start a new semester. I was all set to take a pretty full load of Chemistry, Computational Physics, Physics, Math, and Philosophy classes...
  5. K

    Undergraduate, how to find research position

    Hello guys I am wondering how to find a research position as an undergraduate. Typically, only third year student will be able to find something "real" research job in the summer. Does this mean that it's not possible to do research or maybe assisting research during the regular school time...
  6. B

    Making stupid mistakes during research - ettiquette

    making stupid mistakes during research - "ettiquette" Hi, I have been doing research this summer, and I have been making a lot of stupid mistakes that my adviser has to correct me on. For instance, a graph does not go to 0 where it should due to a preceding function w/zeros, different math...
  7. H

    Does Schur's Theorem Apply to Fractions in Ramsey Theory?

    Hi all, I am currently doing research in Ramsey Theory and my research question is: does Schur's Theorem apply to fractions? Right now I am up to the point where I have proven several basic bounds of Schur and Ramsey numbers and have proven that an arithmetic sequence of fractions does not obey...
  8. S

    High school project in mathematics, original research

    I have been thinking about doing my 'high school project' in mathematics and I would like to do some original research. So my question is: Which areas of mathematics would be most suited for me? Having in mind that I'm still in high school, although I have taken some (fundamental) math...
  9. Darth Frodo

    Undergrad Research Q&A: Tips for Applying and Choosing Research Areas

    Hi guys, I really want to engage in some undergrad research this year but I have some queries. 1. If I wanted to apply for the summer what is the ideal date to ask the professor or set up a meeting? After Christmas Break when I get results back? 2. My Uni does mostly work in Solid State...
  10. PhizKid

    Schools List of schools based on undergraduate research?

    My school doesn't have any faculty involved in Condensed Matter Experimentation, and that's what I want to get my PhD in, so I'd like to transfer to a school that offers plenty of research opportunity in this field, instead of just having 1 summer of research experience at an external lab (I...
  11. U

    What Are the Latest Advances in Solar Cell Research?

    Hi, I want to continue my study in physics, but i have to find topics for research proposal, and I need your help. I hope you can give me the news about the newest research in solar cell? the material or new method? thanks for your help...:smile:
  12. V

    Research Papers in classical mechanics

    Please tell me a website where I can find latest research papers in classical mechanics.
  13. A

    Data analysis software for hydrology research

    Hello there! This is my first time posting, but I'm a long time reader. I could not find a more appropriate sub-forum. I have just been hired to compile and organize data for an arctic hydrology research project in Fairbanks, AK. They are studying climate change and have recorded a few...
  14. D

    Year 12 Cosmology extended research task

    Hey guys, I am currently in year 12 and have been asked to develop a thesis on cosmology for an Extended research task (ERT) and I am bewildered. Nothing is coming to mind at the moment and I am struggling. I have no idea what to do mine on. the teacher gave us a list of topics that we might...
  15. M

    Schools Grad school - importance of research

    Hi, I am a sophomore undergraduate and I have a question about the importance of research experience for grad school applications (from senior year to masters or phd). I have read that research experience and letters of recommendation are the two main factors for top 10 grad school...
  16. magnetic flux

    How will current research affect our lifes?

    I had a debate with my dad today. At the core, there were questions like: How does the Higgs boson affect my life? Why do we spend so much money at CERN? Couln't they do smaller experiments? Why do we look for extraterrestial planets although we lack a decent spaceship to even get there...
  17. jbrussell93

    Importance of research area as an undergrad

    As an undergrad, how much does the area of research matter when applying to graduate schools? I am a biological engineering student hoping to go to graduate school for neural engineering. I'm currently in a neurobiology lab working working in the theoretical/computational side of neuroscience...
  18. A

    Worried About Selected Graduate Research Topic

    Hey, I'm just looking for some advice with regards to a bad gut feeling I've been having lately. I will be starting graduate school this fall and I am worried that the topic I chose is not the "best" topic for me. By best, I mean a subject I feel is not my true passion and will not allow me to...
  19. U

    Is there any cosmological research field concerning signal processing?

    Hi, everyone~ I have a BS in EE, and I want to be a researcher in cosmology or astronomy. To accomplish that I have to get a PHD in such areas. But my major in college was mainly about signal processing and networks. So, I'm wondering if there is any PHD program in cosmology or astronomy that...
  20. N

    Getting Help with Patent Funding for Climate Research

    Hello, Can you guys please tell me where do I can get help about my patent. I am a student and am unable to complete my EXPERIMENTS about climate research Cloud and storm I really need help to find a laboratory or a place to get my patent funded Thanks
  21. Y

    How to request for a research position?

    Before going off to college, I'd really like to do some physics-related research at a local university. I'm really excited about the idea of physics, and I can do math very proficiently. The problem is, I have no prior experience in research other than labs done in high school science classes...
  22. D

    Do full time research actually mean working the whole day?

    I am going into third year (junior) in the coming fall and I plan to do some research over the summers with a prof I know. I've talked with the prof and he seems to be willing to take me on. However I have one concern is if I can graduate within four years. To make that happen, I have to...
  23. jbrussell93

    Admissions Grad admissions - GPA vs published research?

    I recently read a very interesting article about graduate admissions written by an adcom. He says a few things that are the exact OPPOSITE of what I've heard. I've always heard that a good GPA and GRE scores are probably the most important part of a good application besides recs and...
  24. F

    Is Expecting to 'Pay Your Dues' in UG Research Necessary for Success?

    I was reading a book by Cal Newport's book "Win at College", and one chapter he gives advice on paying your dues in research. Here's an excerpt from that chapter: "If getting involved with original research is one of the best things you can do as an undergraduate, then getting involved and...
  25. E

    Finding a Mentor for High School Research Project on Clothing and Behavior

    I'm a high school student and I recently thought of a really cool study on behavior towards people dressed in different clothes - there's a little more to it than that but I don't know if you need that for this question. Anyway since I'm in high school I've never researched or done a project...
  26. V

    Which engineering branch is good for research works in future?

    I am from India.. I want a branch which has significant room for research works in future after B tech Mtec and so on.. Right now my preference is Electrical and electronics,Electronics &Ccommunication,Electrical Engineering, Computer Science.(need further suggestions from u)... Is it good or...
  27. J

    What Steps Should I Take for a Research Career in Computer Science?

    What kind of career path should i follow if i want a job whihc involves devising new and better ways of using computers and addressing particular challenges in areas such as robotics, physics and other sciences. I will start my undergradute course in CSE this year. After that what will i have...
  28. G

    Schools Physics research experience high school

    How can a high school student, such as myself gain research experience? I'm not talking about anything overly impressive. I am just talking about possibly doing something along the lines of a research mentor-ship with a physicist from a local university or something. Am i already asking too...
  29. F

    UG research- Actually doing research more important than relevance of field?

    When graduate school admissions look at your undergrad research experience, does it matter that much whether the field research experience have any relevance to the field you want to pursue in graduate school? Or in other words, is actually doing research and acquiring research experience...
  30. K

    Astro Physics Research for Undergrads

    Hey guys, I'm studying in my final year, physics as an undergraduate student, and we have to complete a research project for the finals. Our course length is 2 months. I'm deeply interested in astro physics and cosmology. Any new topics that i can consider as an research topic?
  31. G

    How difficult is it to get a research job in industry?

    I realize it's very hard to get a job in research at a university with a PHD in physics, but are there many jobs at private company for physicists? If I really wanted to do research in physics would it even be possible? Could i do research in a field like medical physics if a pure physics...
  32. A

    Schools Applying to Graduate School in Physics Education Research (3ish GPA)

    Due to switching majors during sophomore year, my Physics curriculum was pushed back and I am forced to have one more semester beyond my senior year to take 2 more Physics classes to finish my degree. Right now, I have a 3.21 overall GPA with a Physics GPA hovering dangerously above a 3.0. The...
  33. R

    Can anyone please direct me to a website showcasing some famous Research Papers?

    Hi! I'am young and am very excited about Physics. I would like to read the research papers written by famous physicists like Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein. I have been looking for websites which feature these papers for free, but in vain. Can anyone please help me with a link toa...
  34. M

    Masters or Ph.D for a Research Career?

    I'm still in lower division so I know this is jumping the gun, but I wanted to ask this now while I still have time to ponder. Originally my end goal was to get a Ph.D because I want to do research ideally in astrophysics, although I'm well aware that jobs in this field are few and far...
  35. D

    Looking for research areas/topics accessible to a highschooler

    My high-school science department has decided to add an independent research course, which i will be interviewing for a position in later this week. I would love the opportunity, and to learn about research methodology, but I'm having a hard time coming up with an potential research areas that...
  36. S

    Question: Transitioning into another research field

    Hi everyone. This question is directed at those who either have completed their PhD in physics or is well on their way to completing their PhD. Given what I have read and heard about the lack of opportunities in physics in the US (both in academia and in independent research labs), I was...
  37. S

    Need Research Question Related to Multiverse (High School Level)

    I am new to this, but in desperate need of help. I'm doing the IB and in our final two years of school we are required to write an essay (extended essay) on one of our chosen subjects. I chose to write an essay on physics and my topic is parallel universes. However, I am really stuck as the...
  38. K

    Is Multiple Research Experience Necessary for Graduate School Applications?

    Hi all. I recently finished my sophomore year as a physics and math major. I'm doing well in my classes with all A's in every science and math course I have taken, except a B+ in Physics1 in my first semester of college. I have been working with a high energy physics group since the summer after...
  39. C

    Schools Research in field other than graduate school specialization?

    I know that undergraduate research is extremely helpful for graduate school, but how about research that was done in a field not directly related to what you're hoping to go to graduate school for? I'm looking at applying to PhD programs in Material Science/Materials Engineering this fall and...
  40. A

    What should I expect as a graduate student studying CFD combustion research?

    Hey everyone, I've got a question that been in the back of my mind for a few months now. Hopefully someone on this forum can provide me with some guidance. I just finished my undergraduate career in aeronautical engineering; I'll be starting graduate school this coming August. On a gut feeling...
  41. C

    What Are Good Self-Directed Research Topics for a Math Master's Graduate?

    I have a master's degree in math, and unable to work on my PhD at this time, I am continuing my studies on my own. I am looking for a project/question that I could work on at a masters level that might lead to original work. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or direction.
  42. I

    EE, BioE, Signals, and Research Projects

    Hi, I have a lot of considerations here, but I'm not entirely sure where to start. I switched from a BioE curriculum to an EE curriculum, recently, because most BioEs I knew were premed and I'd been worried about the curriculum not actually giving me any marketable skills, rather tons of...
  43. U

    Research in mechanical engineering- what is it all about(just general idea)

    Research in mechanical engineering-- what is it all about(just general idea) Hi, I'm a student of mechanical engineering and I'd like to do an MS degree following my undergrads. Up till now, I've had experience in only simulation based research i.e. during my final year project, my...
  44. A

    Programs PhD research in particle physics and cosmology - Any advice ?

    Hello everyone, I am a student in particle physics and cosmology in some Belgian university. I'll finish my master degree in June of this year. I am searching for PhD studentships in Europa or US, but it is very difficult to get a place somewhere. I applied to some universities, I'm still...
  45. K

    Research of next generation battery need which enginnering course?

    I really want to do research in battery after I finish my undergraduate engineering course. which engineering course should I choose so that I am well prepared to do research in battery? (mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering) Thank you.
  46. M

    How to make a meaningful contribution in computational research?

    Hey, I will soon learn to code and would like to get a feel of how it's used in scientific research. I was thinking of using Python as it's used in physics a lot (apparently) and there are a lot of resources for it, even an OCW course. I know a prof who might be able to let me contribute a...
  47. M

    Help finding a research question

    Homework Statement For my IB course i have to write an Extended Essay, i will most likely be writing mine in physics (I take physics higher level). I have been having trouble coming up with some ideas on what i could write about, the essay should be 4,000 words max so i need a fairly beefy...
  48. A

    Should I Back Out of My Summer Research Plans?

    Hi everyone, I'm hoping to get some advice from people who are more experienced in things like this. I am an undergraduate, freshman physics major, and I have made plans this summer to do research with my department. Of course it's not going to be anything too advanced, but I thought it was...
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