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. S

    Thinking of a PhD based on undergrad research experience

    Hi everyone, I am a final-year undergraduate in Physics. I actually created this account purely to ask for some advice. I have been considering pursuing a physics PhD ever since my first year, but my current experience in my final-year project (FYP) has been difficult and I'm wondering if this...
  2. SoulOfSword_

    Astrophysics/Astronomy Extended Essay -- Trying to figure out a research topic

    Homework Statement: Ideas for astrophysics EE Homework Equations: Extended essay Hi Guys! I'm trying to figure out a research topic in astrophysics/astronomy for my IB extended essay. I don't really know what to do, do any of you any ideas, maybe even off the top of your heads? It needs to...
  3. sams

    Questions Regarding my Supervising of an Undergrad Senior Project in Physics

    I’m currently supervising an undergraduate senior project in the Department of Physics. I’m responsible for supervising a last year physics student who will be graduating by the end of June. As a new lecturer and supervisor, I was wondering about several aspects and I would like to gain a deeper...
  4. W

    Physics Leaving Academia While Still Contributing to Physics Research

    There is a Theoretical Physicist by the name of Garret Lisi. He gave a ted Talk on one of his unified physics theories that received a lot of attention. The reason why I am bringing him up is because he left academia after he finished his phd and moved to Maui. During his time there he found...
  5. samudra

    I What is the current state of research on the nature of Time?

    As a non-Physics major, like many others, I read science-fiction, hard science-fiction, have undergraduate/graduate courses on Astronomy and college physics. I also participated in R&D that produced electric rockets able to power small space vehicles (very slowly, but surely). I deal with...
  6. D

    Physics What Should I Study: Physics or Engineering for Real-World Projects?

    I love physics, I’m literarily fascinated and passionate about it. Although I would like to focus on applying physics on real world projects (more than on research or discovery). Like making a better combustion system on rockets, helping build the fusion reactors they’re trying to make, using...
  7. D

    Physics Is a physics career's main focus Discovery and not Invention?

    Is the main focus of the physics career discovery, leading invention for the engineers? I mean in the hypothetical situation of the building of a rocket, would the physicist spend their time discovering new ways of making combustion or discovering new materials for a spaceship, and the...
  8. K

    Physics How to do research in theoretical physics or math?

    Hello! All of my undergraduate research so far was in experimental fields, mainly because most of my professors are doing that at the university. The few ones who are doing something more theoretical are mainly working on numerical simulations. I have always been fascinated about theoretical...
  9. G

    Suggestions for research topics for M.Sc. in Nuclear Power Engineering

    Summary: Suggestion on experimental research related to reactor for master's degree dissertation. Summary: Suggestion on experimental research related to reactor for master's degree dissertation. I have just started my master's degree course in Nuclear Power Engineering and decided to...
  10. U

    Other Requesting a letter of recommendation from a Research Advisor

    I'm applying to physics graduate programs this fall. I volunteered with an experimentalist in my hometown (at a small undergraduate-only physics program) over this past summer (I'm going to keep it intentionally vague for privacy reasons, but let me know if you really think the response depends...
  11. L

    Programs High School Experimental Physics Research Academy at Penn, reviews?

    I have a 9th grader who is really excited about modern physics and we're looking for a summer program where he can learn (and have fun learning) at the appropriate level. Most of the summer physics programs we've found are only open to current 11th or 12th graders. The Penn Experimental Physics...
  12. D

    Thoughts on Undergraduate Engineering Research

    The topic of "undergraduate research" is much discussed today. Speaking particularly to engineering education, I wonder if we all have the same understanding of the term "research." I would like to hear from other folks just what they think is meant by the term "undergraduate engineering...
  13. J

    Other Inquiring about Undergraduate Research

    When composing an email to a professor asking him about possibly conducting undergraduate research with him, what are some things I should keep in mind? What are some things I should (or shouldn’t) be asking of him and some things I should (or shouldn’t) be saying about myself?
  14. Beth N

    Backcross vs Testcross difference: Research on mitochondrial genes

    My question is all in the context of this paper. I have problems understanding a definition and a method. Sina, C. et al. Mitochondrial gene polymorphism is associated with gut microbial communities in mice. Sci. Rep. 7, 1–9 (2017). This is a segment of the introduction: " Since common inbred...
  15. C

    Courses How should I decide on which research project to take on this year?

    Hello. I have been studying Biology as an undergrad and in my second year have discovered an interest in the biophysics area. I have taken 2 biophysics courses as an undergrad (introductory and more advanced) and have successfully made it into a Biological Physics Masters that is going to start...
  16. jordy1380

    Intro Physics Principles of Technology by the Center for Occupational Research and Development

    I am beginning to teach physics this fall and the previous teacher used Principles of Technology (PT) for a remedial physics course. I have all of the textbooks for this class along with the teacher materials but there is no planning information in regards to pacing, how to use the text in...
  17. K

    B I formulating a research question for my Extended Essay

    Hello, I am a student in the IB Diploma course. I've decided to focus my essay on quantum locking: including superconductors (YBCO), the Meissner Effect. I have access to the materials needed to experiment with this topic (materials from quantumlevitation.com). Could anyone help me formulate an...
  18. A

    A Deriving an inequality from a paper

    Hi, I am studying a paper by Yann Bugeaud: http://irma.math.unistra.fr/~bugeaud/travaux/ConfMumbaidef.pdf on page 13 there is an inequality (16) as given below- which is obtained from - , on page 12. How the inequality (16) is derived? I couldn't figure it out. However one of my...
  19. P

    I want to research nuclear fusion

    I am currently a high school student in Hawaii, and I am interested in R&D of nuclear fusion for practical use. I just find it so fascinating that one day we could possibly harness unlimited power with very few consequences. Because of that I want to get advice on a few things. 1) What should...
  20. Marshall_Mathers

    B Possibility of Black Hole research

    Hey, If we take a hypothetical black hole with the mass of thirty billion suns which has the schwarzschild radius of roughly the orbit of the venus and let a spaceship fly into it, would it be possible for the spaceship to do some reseach on the physical nature of the singularity and then...
  21. Replusz

    Physics Summer research internship in Physics

    I just finished my second year at a European University. I did some laser-related experimental summer research after first year, and am currently doing a condensed matter experimental summer research (both at European research institutes). Next year I would like to work at an Ivy League...
  22. Paarthgarg

    Chick embryo as a model for further new life science research?

    In This paper we have used Ischemia - Repurfusion in chick embryo to study different markes using Western blot. quoting from Paper Various in vitro and in vivo models are currently available to study I/R mechanism in the brain and other tissues. However, thus far, no in ovo I/R model has been...
  23. bagasme

    Other Corporate Blogs: Bad Source for Research Project?

    Hello, I was wondering whether blogs (especially corporate blogs) are good source for research. In some cases, such websites give me facts that hardly found elsewhere. However, when used as research source, corporate blogs can present problems: there is no way to know the credibility and...
  24. Umaxo

    Researching Physics as a Hobby - Opinions Wanted

    Hello, I would like to ask you opinions on working in reasearch in physics as hobbiest in my spare time. Right know i am just looking around for options, so any opinion would be appreciated. I have masters degree in theoretical physics. After finishing the study i started working and - long...
  25. V

    Studying Advice on How to Pursue a Career in Planetary Research

    Hi. Currently I’m 17 and I’m coming to the end of my first year of A levels. I have to start writing my ucas and applying for unis later this year. I’m really interested in space and have always wanted to go down that route, however I’ve not had much guidance as what to do with my future in...
  26. W

    Other How do I select a topic for my final-year research project in Physics BSc?

    Hi all, I'm about to start a final-year (Physics BSc) research project and would like some advice about how to select a topic. I was thinking of working on quantum theory, and in particular, quantum foundations (very broadly speaking). As such, I've been reading a bunch of papers on arXiv (e.g...
  27. Wrichik Basu

    Specifications for buying a laptop for study and research purposes

    Father was thinking about buying a laptop that I can utilise for my studies. Our PC (windows 7 pro, 32 bit) is proving incapable for much of the software that I would like to have. Being 32-bit, I cannot install latest java and Matlab on it. In addition, if you have a look at this thread (mainly...
  28. J

    Programs PhD Topic Change: Is It Common for Physicists?

    Is it common for physics grads to change the topic of their research focus (staying within physics) while at graduate school?
  29. snatchingthepi

    Studying Useful guidance for research in medical physics

    It's looking like I'm going to get funding for a research MSc in medical physics, working specifically with MRI technology on in-vitro rat brains looking at models of diagnosing disorders of the nervous system. I was just wondering if anyone had any useful advise or guidance for some things to...
  30. F

    MHB Practical Application of Research Paper help

    I am attempting to write a software app based on a research paper: "Predicting Ambulance Demand: a Spatio-Temporal Kernel Approach" by Zhou and Matteson . Here is a link to the paper https://arxiv.org/pdf/1507.00364.pdf . I have questions on how to go about implementing the equations. In...
  31. astroman707

    B How prevalent is the R language in astronomy research?

    I’ve heard that C++, python, and IDL are most commonly used in observational astronomy research, but how common is R in the field?
  32. P

    A Research styles in different branches of Physics

    Are the standards of studying/teaching methods same across different branches of theoretical physics like particle, astronomy and cosmology? For example we observe a lot of tours, events and conferences in institutes of astronomy and astrophysics, whereas particle and cosmologists are mostly...
  33. T

    Facts and latest research about stress when it comes to jobs/work

    Hi again, I want to know, what are the effects that stress has on the human body when it comes to work or a job? The reason I am asking this is because I plan to have a job in the future that gives me good stress and to avoid working at a job that gives me bad stress. I base this on some website...
  34. J

    Schools Pros and Cons of Michigan State Physics

    Does anybody here have any experience with Michigan State’s undergraduate physics program? If so, what stuck out to you and what did you like/dislike about it?
  35. J

    Schools Ohio State Physics | Reviews & Experiences

    Does anybody here have any experience with Ohio States’s undergraduate physics program? If so, what stuck out to you and what did you like/dislike about it?
  36. P

    Schools What are interesting research topics in plasma physics now?

    I'm an undergraduate student and thinking of doing a research in plasma physics. Any suggestion? I prefer to do it computationally. Most research topic in plasma physics I googled are about fusion, but do you think it's too advanced for my education level?
  37. Milsomonk

    Studying How much does your PhD constrain your research opportunities

    Hi Folks, I am currently an student studying MSc Theoretical Particle physics in the UK. For my undergraduate degree I studied Astrophysics. I have always been aiming for a PhD, but have struggled a great deal to tie myself down to a particular field within physics. I have been...
  38. Zack K

    Other Best way to get research experience for astrophysics?

    I'm currently studying in a Canadian University(SFU). I've come to notice that the astronomy/physics portion here is lacking. There are a few astrophyics/cosmology research teams but they are small and encompass a few graduate students. I'm a first year, I really want to get involved in research...
  39. Shackleford

    Establishing a Probability PhD Program: Prerequisites for Research

    If you were to establish a curriculum for a Probability PhD program, what courses would you include as a prerequisite to doing research? So far, I have: analysis, complex analysis, functional analysis, stochastic analysis, measure theory, and partial differential equations. This presupposes...
  40. cordless03

    What math and physics is needed for biophysics research?

    What math and physics is needed for biophysics research? Specifically having to do with medical applications. I am undergrad student interested in physics and medicine.
  41. ChadThePianist

    COMSOL Modeling help (ambient air around a thermoelectric module)

    Hello everyone, I am wondering how to model ambient air around a thermoelectric module in COMSOL. I am fairly new to the software and am doing undergraduate research revolved around it. Any help or pertinent examples would be appreciated. I can send/post screenshots and or .mph files if it would...
  42. DrTherapist

    Can Mental Health Challenges Influence a Career in Neuroscience Research?

    Hi all. I am an undergrad (BSc) student from India. I want to perform research on neurological conditions, however I have a history of mental illness that has obviously affected my executive functioning. Although I am on meds and I am receiving help, and I am not bad as I was once, I still doubt...
  43. hagopbul

    About some information on research funding

    Hello all: I need to ask this rocky question, if you want some funding for a research project and you are outside academic sphere currently , how to get it ? Where to apply ? And how to find team member, considering the project is a short one ? What about patents ? Best H
  44. Zack K

    Importance of uncertainty and probability in research papers

    As someone who is interested in astrophysics, I always get emphasized on the importance of knowing statistics and error analysis in results of a calculation. However when I read about real physics papers, I never see any numerical solutions, just equations that demonstrate phenomena. I know that...
  45. Fabrizio Vassallo

    Schools Recommendations of experiments to a high school student.

    Hello! First of all, thank you taking the time to read this. I'm a high school student currently about to begin my last year (I'm from Argentina so here we start in March) and would like to study physics in 2020. Because of that, I contacted a university here and they told me that if I wanted...
  46. ChadThePianist

    Is a Brain-to-Computer Interface Possible? Join Me in My Journey to Find Out!

    My name is Chad and I am a senior level undergraduate Electrical Engineering major. I have an interest in physics as well and am doing undergraduate research currently on semiconductor materials that can convert beta particles into electrical energy. I am knowledgeable in the area of EM waves...
  47. mcabbage

    Admissions UG research in "unrelated" field

    I'm doing a USRA (Canadian equivalent of an NSF URA etc, fairly competitive) in the applied math department of my school, where i'll be working on mathematical/computational systems biology. I'll be learning lots of techniques for simulations, dynamical systems, etc and one of their models is...
  48. Boltzman Oscillation

    Classical Book for research of the photoelectric effect?

    Hi, I am not sure if this is the right place to post this but i need help finding resources for the photoelectric effect? I need to write a research paper but I do not know what I could read. The paper is for an undergrad physics course so I don't need much detail, I just need to explain the...
  49. V

    B Physics Extended Essay Research Question

    So we need to decide our research question for the Extended Essay. The extended essay is basically a 4000-word in-depth research on atopic. I chose physics as my subject and I want to something in classical mechanics. can someone please suggest a topic ASAP. P.s. even though its a high school...
  50. R

    Other Transitioning from PhD to a different type of research position

    I'm currently in the process of applying for research positions in my field, unfortunately it's somewhat niche and research positions rarely become available. When they do they tend to go to those who they know already. So, I'm having to look at different research fields, which is kind of...
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