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. Bristlethorn

    Interesting topics for undergraduate astrophysics research?

    Starting in the fall of this year, I'm going to get to start my own year-long undergraduate research project. To summarize as briefly as possible: Resources Available: Our university has access to the SMARTS consortium's three telescopes: - 1.5m CHIRON telescope - 1.3m ANDICAM telescope...
  2. wolram

    Medical New Research: Benefits of Omega-3 for General Health

    I found this item in Science daily, how will it help in general health https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160623150109.htm
  3. Utilite

    Schools What advice can be given to a troubled mechanical engineering student in Turkey?

    Hello, I have a friend and she is very troubled. She is studying mechanical engineering in Turkey's top 10 to 15th university. She wants to change her school but she needs to study for the university exams again which steals one year of her life. She believes that graduating from her school...
  4. P

    Physics What is a typical day like for a theoretical researcher?

    Hello everyone, I am a high schooler from a European country with a deep interest in physics. I like studying the subject and reading about it both from a technical and a popular point of view. However, I've been wondering what actual theoretical research - the pen-paper kind, if anything like...
  5. D

    Other Research this summer -- how to ask the professors

    I really want to participate in some research with some professors from another institution this summer. Do you think it's wise to call them rather than send them an email. If calling them is better how do I ask to participate in their research without sounding weird. Thanks.
  6. A

    Other Academia, Industry, or National Labs?

    What do you guys think is the best area to be employed in? Depending on various degree levels, which area is better for undergraduates, graduates, or those who already obtained a degree? Which area is more helpful for getting into graduate school (if you're an undergrad) and which area has more...
  7. P

    Admissions Should I read (if yes, how) arxiv as a freshman?

    I just graduated high school and will be starting my university studies in Physics. Now, I came across the site a while back and was just thinking of reading at least 1 paper everyday. By doing this, I feel like I'll be updated on what's happening in Physics currently (which field and which...
  8. Bumpeh

    Courses Is 15 Credit Hours Manageable for Research?

    Hello everyone, I was just curious for a little insight. I was going to pursue a double major in Math and Physics but I realized I'd be spreading myself pretty thin and spending less time dedicated to one subject, so there's not really much point of me getting a math degree since what I want to...
  9. I

    Physics Interested in undergraduate research at other university

    Hello, I'm currently a second year undergrad (third once summer ends) majoring in applied physics. Currently I'm doing research at my university about muon beam cooling. However, even though this topic is interesting, I'm mainly interested in the cooling and trapping of anti-particles which is...
  10. N

    Job Skills Combining full-time job and research

    Hello everyone, My dilemma is: - I am a volunteer researcher with a professor in a lab - I received a full-time job offer from a company. I need to keep the research position because it greatly increases my chances of being admitted to grad school, and very closely related to my field of...
  11. Z

    What is the forefront of research in energy?

    Essentially, I'm wondering (knowing virtually nothing at present), what is at the front of modern research in the realm of energy. Whether this be renewable energy, or simply more efficient ways of using energy (e.g. fuel cells?). I assume nuclear fusion will be mentioned too, so what obstacles...
  12. E

    Center of gravity change and acceleration

    Hello Community My first post here so excuse me in case i posted in the wrong place. I basically have to write a paper in school about a physics topic. This includes creating graphs with independent and dependant variables and finding the slope. It should be something to complicated but also...
  13. W

    Other What is the best way to prepare for a research project?

    Hello all, I'm currently in my 1st year of an Applied Physics MSc. In September I'll be doing a research project which involves (attempting) to prove the optimality of a quantum algorithm. In the summer I'll have some spare time so I'd like to prepare myself as best as possible. i) Refresh my...
  14. Abhishek Sethi

    Is Pursuing Quantum Computing Feasible with a Mechanical Engineering Background?

    Hi, I am an undergraduate student from India. Pursuing double major in Physics and Mechanical Engineering. I have completed 4 semesters(2 years) of my college. I had taken a class titled "Quantum information and computing" and it interested me a lot. I really love math and computations...
  15. H

    Physics Paying to Work? 24 Yr Old Physics Grad Struggling for Fulfillment

    Hello, I'll try to keep this quick and to the point. Feel free to ask if you have any questions. I'm 24 years old now. I finished my physics B.S. last year. I studied in Utah and did research for my university for 8.50$ per hour. I've been living in poverty since I was 18 trying to become a...
  16. streeters

    Job Skills Any ideas on how I can develop research interests?

    I am starting a postdoc in Materials, and have spoken to a head of school about a planning for a 5 year fellowship after that will lead onto a lecturing role. Problem is, now I have to work out what I am going to be an expert in. How did you guys get your ideas for research interests? Was it...
  17. S

    Current physics PhD students & postdocs: area of research

    Hi everyone! I wanted to pose this question to those who PF members who are current PhD students or postdocs in physics. What area of physics research are you involved with? I tried to list out all areas of physics research that I'm familiar with, but I also created an "Other" category for any...
  18. A

    Research Project Ideas for First Year Astronomy Student?

    Hi, I am wondering what are some good ideas for a first year undergraduate science research project? I am majoring in Astronomy so am after some ideas. My special interests are Pluto, Black Holes and of course Planet X.
  19. N

    Other Volunteer research with professors - what am I doing wrong?

    Hello everyone, I am a potential graduate in Electrical Engineering. Being highly interested in doing research, I contacted several professors who lead research groups for possible research opportunities. I included my resume, but did not a transcript (my GPA is not spectacular) in my e-mails...
  20. Erebus_Oneiros

    Physics Advice before joining PhD research group, -- personal problems

    Advice before joining PhD research group, if I have a personal problem with one of the group members? One more student from my cohort wants to join the same research group as me. We will be doing our research rotation together. He has an overbearing attitude and is insolent towards anyone...
  21. C

    Programs Is It Appropriate to Email a Research Group Leader Directly as an Applicant?

    I applied to an undergraduate program at a nearby national lab that is tailored for students in the region. I was advised by one of the program staff to contact a research group that I'm interested in working with to let them know that I'm in the applicant pool, and that I am interested in...
  22. kiwaho

    B Is it legal to build a garage accelerator for hobby research

    I wish build or buy an used particle accelerator in my garage or basement, 10MeV capacity is enough. Is that legal? Many counties no regulation on this matter, I guess.
  23. L

    Other Undergraduate research on gravitational waves

    Currently I'm in the last year of the Physics course and I'm interested in working on some undergraduate research project. At first I was suggested to work with statistical physics, but I believe I would prefer working with General Relativity. From the point of view of background I do have a...
  24. science_rules

    A Source for First Physics and Chemistry Research Papers?

    I want to know if there is a good online source to find and read first-time research papers written by undergraduates(bachelor's research papers) to get a feel for how to write a first research paper in Physics or Chemistry. Can you give me some good places online?
  25. L

    Other Research topics in Statistical Physics

    Currently I'm in the last year of the Physics course and I've been thinking about working in a project of undergraduate research, specifically in Statistical Physics. Two years ago I've already done a project like that in Fluid Mechanics combined with Gauge Theories and in that project I've...
  26. hideelo

    I Researching Causal Structure in Classical GR for Graduate Course

    I am currently taking graduate course in GR following Carroll and Wald and we just started covering causal structure. In all my years studying physics this has been the first time something made me stop and go "I would love to spend a decade on this". To me it's a perfect blend of well posed...
  27. M

    A A fundamental question about research

    When you are in research behind your desk, are you using c=h=g=1? I think this is common now. Everyone is doing it. Is there anyone, who is not doing it? And if, why?
  28. PeterDonis

    Insights Why Won't You Look at My New Theory? - Comments

    PeterDonis submitted a new PF Insights post Why Won't You Look at My New Theory? Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  29. Haindi

    Physics Does the topic of undergraduate research matter?

    I have worked with a professor within my Physics department for almost a full school year now on electron scattering simulations. I run some programs on my computer and analyze them with ROOT. This work has been rewarding as I have learned a lot, but I recently got offered a position in a...
  30. jamalkoiyess

    Job Skills What is it like to work in research as a physicist?

    Hello PF, I always wanted to become a physicist doing research all day . But here in lebanon there is no such career so could anyone who HAS a job in research give me a little peak at the daily work and an overall description.
  31. O

    I What is Determinisitic Operations Research?

    The course description: "This course provides a broad overview of deterministic operations research techniques. Linear programming will be covered including the simplex method, duality and sensitivity analysis. Further selected topics are from integer programming, dynamic programming, scheduling...
  32. Nile Anderson

    Math Research Project Ideas Please

    Help. I am having a problem choosing a topic for my math research project. Anybody have any ideas they'd like to share ?
  33. P

    Other Narrowness of field of research?

    Hello, I'm still a freshman undergraduate, so it's very early to decide what field of physics I will spend most of my time working in. However, I'm wondering how narrow one's research has to be -- for example, is it feasible to do work in both atomic physics and nuclear physics? How about...
  34. T

    Engineering Nuclear Engineering Career Opportunities as a PhD

    Hello All, I just got my B.S. in Physics and am now beginning a PhD program in Nuclear Engineering focusing on radiation detection using semiconductors. I very much enjoyed my Physics degree and want to stay in fundamental research for my career, in which case I would also say, I have no...
  35. Domenico94

    A Exploring Nonlinear PDEs: Trends and Challenges in Cancer Research

    Hi everyone. For people who already saw me in this forum, I know I may seem boring with all these questions about PDE, but I promise this will be the last :D Anyway, as the title says, which are the main trends of differential equations research, especially nonlinear differential equations(which...
  36. S

    Physics Why aren't there more research jobs without teaching?

    I can only think of a handful of places that employ full time Physics researchers with job security that do NOT have to teach anyone (such as the Perimeter Institute). It seems the rest of the research jobs are found at universities where a lot of teaching is required in addition to producing...
  37. D

    Research Opportunities: Post Bacc Programs for Resume Building

    So I didn't get accepted into any physics grad programs for a 2nd year in a row. Does anyone know of any post baccalaureate programs for research to help improve my resume?
  38. T

    New research or uses of diamond?

    I am not sure if this is the right forum to put this on so sorry in advance: Hello, I am currently researching about diamonds. Could someone tell me any new research, technology or uses of diamond? I have tried googling and haven't come across much. Thanks!
  39. T

    Nuclear Engineering PhD or Physics PhD for research

    Hello, I've seen lots of friendly people giving good advice here and wanted share my current graduate school situation with you guys and see what your opinions/advice are. I recently graduated with a Physics B.S. and loved it. I have a strong interest in atomic physics and radiation interaction...
  40. U

    Is Robotics the All-Inclusive Field of Science and Engineering?

    Hello all,I am studying MSC in Electrical and IT,,,,, My question is that Which is the field that includes everything of science and engineering? Like Physics, Mathamatics, Programming, research...etc... Is Robotics such a field? If I choose robotics can I switch the field latter a bit in my...
  41. katatosh

    Help finding sources for research paper

    Hello all! I am a senior in high school with a love for physics. In English, we were assigned an argumentative research paper with a topic of our choice. So, naturally, I chose String Theory, since it is a semi controversial topic in theoretical physics today. My only problem is that I have a...
  42. R

    Suggestion for Research Project on Optical Nanoantenna

    Hello, I'm currently a Senior year EE student in a South Asian country. We are planning to do a research project on Optical Nanoantennas. We are still learning and are not very familiar with the theoretical stuff, we only have the knowledge of junior year undergrads (took EM Fields and Wave...
  43. C

    What are current research directions in Quantum Chaos?

    What are the topics which are been perceived by researchers around the World on the topic of Quantum Chaos? I know my questions is not specific, but I do not have any idea to ask about anything specific.
  44. G

    Gravitational Waves research and Dark Matter

    A lot is being written about the recent aLIGO observations and in general the implications of GW research for our scientific understanding of the universe. We read about mostly 2 grand areas where GW research can provide novel knowledge. The astronomical / astrophysical area (i.e. mapping...
  45. S

    How to spend my gap years meaningfully before undergrad?

    Greetings! Having finished my A-Levels, some unforeseen circumstances had forced me to take 2 gap years before starting my undergraduate studies in Physics, and I hope to make these 2 years count by doing something meaningful. The first thing that comes to mind is work experience/internship...
  46. nmsurobert

    Current thermodynamic research

    I have to write an essay this semester for my thermo class on some current thermodynamic research. I'm currently doing some googling but does anyone here have any suggestion of something they interesting?
  47. B

    What Are Some Feasible Undergraduate Physics Research Projects?

    I am currently a sophomore physics student at a relatively small liberal arts college. Research opportunities are extremely limited, but I am applying for a grant of up to $2500 to perform a research project for the school. I am having some trouble coming up with topics/projects that I could...
  48. Imtiaz Ahmad

    How Can I Start Research in Physics with No Experience?

    I have no research work in physics but i want please help me what i do?
  49. M

    Undergraduate Senior Physics Research Topic (Theory)

    Hello all, This is most likely a question for those who have experience/knowledge of theoretical/mathematical physics at the graduate level and can provide recommendations following my criteria. Here is some background about me: I am a senior majoring in math and physics at a small...
  50. T

    Loss of motivation when research becomes 9-5 job.

    I'm 6 months into a PhD (admittedly in Chemical Engineering, not physics, but my project has a modelling bent) and, as the title suggests, I've been struggling to find motivation day in and day out. It's silly: give me an interesting problem in a project not related to my work (say a math...
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