What is Research: Definition and 998 Discussions

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

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering Research Project

    Hello, my name is Lucas and I am currently in year 11. For my research project I decided to research mechanical and mechatronic engineering to compare both of the occupations in order to make a decision of what I want to pursue as career. If you have the time, please feel free to help me answer...
  2. P

    Physics What are my chances of becoming a research physicist

    I am in high school right now and i would like to be a physicist but i heard a lot of physicists become engineers or programmers instead of a research physicists. And what is the difference between experimental and theoretical.
  3. ElPimiento

    Studying Courses/Books Recommended for Metamaterial Research?

    I'm a first year student in college and I've started shadowing under a grad student, who's in a nano-optics research group (http://www.nanoscience.ucf.edu/chanda/), in order to learn about microfabrication. I'd like to start conducting my own research soon; however, i don't know exactly what it...
  4. 1

    Where Can I Find Biophysics Brain Research Programs?

    I am applying to graduate programs and I'm interested in biophysics, but I want to study the brain. I have yet to find a university that has a biophysics research project that is studying the brain/nervous system. Any information on people doing biophysics research concerning the brain would...
  5. davenn

    U.S. Naval Research Lab develops transparent aluminum

    All the scifi geeks will get this yet again scifi becomes reality http://www.bdcnetwork.com/us-naval-research-lab-develops-transparent-aluminum?eid=223056823&bid=1229250 just a little hint :wink: ...Transparent aluminum ? ... that's the ticket laddie ... it would take year just to figure...
  6. Borseth

    Best way of getting into cancer research?

    Hi all! I have recently found that I want to get into cancer research after my studies, and want to know more about my options. Right now I'm in the first year of my masters, and have finished most of the standard subjects for a physics degree, I think. I will be continuing on with different...
  7. A

    Advice for Applying to Math PhD Programs with Limited Research Experience

    Hello, I am currently a Junior at an average state university with a not particularly well known math department. I'm pretty set on pursuing a Phd in math (my interests lie primarily in numerical analysis and PDE's), and would like advice on which programs would be realistic to apply to...
  8. M

    Do Physics Grad Programs Prefer Depth or Breadth in Undergrad Research?

    Do physics graduate programs have any preference of working with a single professor for several semesters or working with several different professors each for just a semester or two? Is it disadvantageous to stay with one professor for your entire undergraduate career?
  9. Domenico94

    A What is quantum computing research mostly focused on?

    What is quantum computing research mostly focused on? I mean, is it mostly about a physical point of view ( Like building better quantum transistor, or better quantum diodes, or, for example, using entalgment effect, to achieve better purposes), or is it mostly focused with quantum architectures...
  10. D

    Is China a good place for research?

    Hi everyone I'm a Chinese American and I love doing science. I've been learning Chinese to reconnect with my original culture but I'm wondering if Mainland China is also a good place to do scientific research right now too. Specifically I'm interested in the field of bio-energy and stuff.
  11. O

    Exploring Independent Research in Thermal & Material Engineering and Physics

    Hi, is there any independent research group I could tap into in thermal and material engineering and general physics. What are the credits and funding I could get from it?
  12. billy_joule

    Sharing authorship for undergrad engineering research

    I've just finished a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours. My academic supervisor submitted my honours research paper to a conference being held next year. In short: The extent of my supervisors contribution was approving my requests for purchase orders. I devised, built and ran the experiments...
  13. M

    Schools Chem Research for Physics Grad School

    I am a undergraduate physics major currently researching in a astrophysics lab. My PI is away this summer, so I will be unable to research with him between spring and fall semesters. However, I found an opportunity to do work with an organic chemistry group that I suspect I will enjoy (I enjoyed...
  14. D

    Possible to Specialize in General Relativity?

    I'm about to start my senior year at university pursuing a double major in physics and electrical engineering. I decided recently that I wanted to go to graduate school for physics so I started thinking about the area I would like to specialize in. My current university does most of its research...
  15. marcus

    Landmark paper by Smolin pulls together recent QG research

    http://arxiv.org/abs/1510.03858 The thermodynamics of quantum spacetime histories Lee Smolin (Submitted on 13 Oct 2015) We show that the simplicity constraints, which define the dynamics of spin foam models, imply, and are implied by, the first law of thermodynamics, when the latter is applied...
  16. Dimitri655

    What are some current exciting topics in research for ME?

    Hey guys! I'm a 3rd year student in Mechanical Engineering and I was considering doing a Master. I was wondering what are some of the current hot topics for research in the various fields of mechanical engineering? Thanks,
  17. A

    Materials: scientist vs engineering (research wise)

    So, i am trying to decide between materials science or engineering, i understand the difference, and i am preferring engineering due to the better career perspective, specially that i am from a country where research isn't their first priority, but i am still very interesting in research and...
  18. Avi Nandi

    Mathematics for research in physics

    Mathematics is the language of Nature. The more advanced topics we study , the more involving is the maths. To understand physics, I think i need to develop a strong mathematical intuition and learn to appreciate the beauty of maths. Can anyone suggest a good flowchart of topics so that my...
  19. U

    How many hours of research did you do a week(undergrad)

    I work 20 hours a week and take on average 15+ units a semester and while this is so far fine it is hard while also managing free time and personal relationships. I want to get into research but I'm unsure how many hours I can realistically do while maintaining a healthy balanced life. How did...
  20. Enne

    How competitive is string theory compared to other fields?

    I'm Indian and I've heard stuff that it is difficult to get into a good PhD program in the US/UK for string theory because the competition is more fierce than other fields. Furthermore,the likelihood for getting academic positions is even tougher(added to the fact that I'm from a different...
  21. J

    Best way to ask professor for research position

    I am currently in the honors mathematics program at my school. I wanted to get a research position this summer with a professor. I have been reading some of the previous threads about people asking for the same type of advice that I am asking for. I just feel that my situation may be a bit...
  22. Enne

    Physics Is there current research going on in quantum mechanics?

    I have been recently introduced to QM and I am deeply interested in it. I have come to know that quantum cryptography, quantum computing, and quantum optics are the hot areas where research is going on. But I'm curious, is there theoretical research going on for understanding of the quantum...
  23. Matt atkinson

    Undergrad Research project and PhD's

    Hi all, during my degree (which of now I am in the master's year) I have to do a year long research project. This project I had to select from a list of which only one of them was quantum mechanics related (for a theorist), of course this made it popular and I didn't get my first choice and...
  24. K

    Where can I study (research) Loop Quantum Gravity?

    Thank you for opening this Thread I am kind of new here and this is my first time to post so I apologize if I did something wrong So my question is where can I study/ research Loop Quantum Gravity I have checked fair amount of grad school websites and compared to Super String, I have not yet...
  25. A

    Getting research experience after graduation?

    hi everyone, so i am an undergrad who is graduating with a physics degree in less than two months. i dropped the ball by not being more active in my department's colloquia / student society / etc. and have not been able to get any research experience outside of lab courses (which don't count...
  26. P

    Career in research in physics after 14 yrs in IT

    Hi, I am into IT consulting for last 14 years after completing my B.Tech in Electrical Engineering. I have a dream since my childhood to build career in research in physics. The closest I came to my dream when I appeared for JSET-2001 and got interview call from RRI and IIA. I am planning to...
  27. D

    Need help in deciding what to research for physics project

    Hello enlighted people of this forum. I'm an undergraduate from a university in Colombia, my subject of study is software engineering but I have a class which is named "Physics 2", this class introduces the subjects of simple harmonic motion(pendulum, sound waves, etc), electric fields, Gauss's...
  28. gleem

    George Will endorses space research

    George Will, a nationally syndicated Republican political columnist, pundit and author, discusses an uncharacteristic subject in today's newspaper reviewing the accomplishments of the Hubble telescope and its contribution to our knowledge of the universe. He looks forward to the upcoming James...
  29. R

    Schools Math research as a high school student

    I study and learn math independently but I was wondering if there was some kind of math research that I could do. I'm no where near a genius but I would like to take a shot. Obviously my math background is limited so this might be a stupid question all together. A big reason why I'm asking is...
  30. Vannay

    Ideal advisor wary of my lack of knowledge in biochem....

    I'm in a physics graduate program shopping around for research advisors and I met with my number one pick today. He works with biological systems using calorimetry and other lab methods a biologist would know. He saw my enthusiasm and liked it but was wary about my lack of biochem knowledge. He...
  31. A

    Schools Research in materials science for physics grad school

    I am an undergrad physics major at a US university. I plan on attending grad school for condensed matter physics, so I've been looking for research opportunities here. There is limited condensed matter research, however, and most of it is done through the materials science/engineering...
  32. Summer95

    What do REU programs want to hear in personal statements?

    I really want to start doing some undergraduate research (Physics major, Math minor, 2nd year of Physics classes starting now) and I have no idea what they want to hear from me in any personal statements. For example, one of them just asks "How do you think this research experience might further...
  33. Oliver Ross

    Reaching skill level for Mathematical Research

    I'm a highly determined (and slightly stubborn) high school freshman who wants to learn enough mathematics to conduct mathematics research with a mentor. Looking on the internet, I found a program called MIT Primes, where students can be matched with graduate students/professors at MIT to...
  34. emma watson

    What are some current topics in physics research?

    Greetings! My name is Emma Watson. I am From USA. I am Editor at The New Time Magazine. I plan to do some research in Physics. I look forward in participating with this society and share some valuable topics with other members. Thanks Emma Watson
  35. kade

    As a pure math phd student, how to get into the quantum research

    As a fresh pure math phd student, I aim to become a mathematical physicist, and currently I try to schedule out what I should do step by step in this four years on phd program. But in my university, there is no professor in this field could help me as my advisor. So I wish to get some advice...
  36. mesa

    Is Crowdsourcing a Viable Option for Scientific Research Funding?

    I have managed to raise funds over the summer to run a successful experiment on campus and the results are pointing towards some interesting phenomena that warrant further study. I have considered crowdsourcing to raise more capital to further the project but wonder if any of you have...
  37. C

    International undergrad summer research (1st or 2nd year)

    Hello, I’m doing my first year of bachelor degree in physics in Italy and I would really like to get some research experience before my third year. Do you know any (international) summer research opportunity for a physics student who completed his first or second year of studies? I would be ok...
  38. jim mcnamara

    Reproducibility of previous research reports

    http://www.sciencemag.org/content/349/6251/aac4716 Science 28 August 2015: Vol. 349 no. 6251 DOI: 10.1126/science.aac4716 Nosek B. , et al., Estimating the reproducibility of psychological science 35 of 97 reports of statistically significant results published in three major psychology...
  39. C

    Guidance for research in Photonics

    Hi, I am in my first year of M.Sc. in physics. I want to pursue a research in Photonics after my Post-Graduation. i am really passionate about Physics and research... but unfortunately there is nobody to guide me in the proper way... i want to pursue research in Photonics in some of the top...
  40. A

    How Does Air Pressure Affect Curveball Distance in Different Ballparks?

    Hello everyone, It's my first time posting, so I hope everyone is doing well. I am looking for some help for a high school research paper/lab I'm currently working on. Basically, I am investigating how the varying air pressures of different baseball parks have an effect on the distance traveled...
  41. Lagraaaange

    Studying A) Doing research "Off the books"? b) Returning Researcher?

    A. Would it be suboptimal to do research with a professor without being registered for "research" or "independent studies"? B. Furthermore, would it look bad if I took a "returning researcher" position such that I was asked to come back after my summer internship on weekends (twice a month) to...
  42. P

    MHB Questionnaire for Project Research

    Hi, I'm doing a history of Maths related EPQ. I've written a questionnaire to collect data I need for the project; all I need now are people to answer it. It's only 4 questions long so it shouldn't take more than 5 mins. The link is below. Mathematical Developments before 1900 - Project...
  43. Willelm

    I want to do research in Applied Physics, what should I do?

    I'm 15 years old and very good at solving hard logic problems. I know a little bit about college mathematics and physics, so I want to write papers. After thinking a lot I think Applied Physics is a relative new area that has a lot opportunities, so I want to do research in it. What should I do...
  44. Willelm

    I want to do research, am I young?

    Hi, thanks for your anwsers. I wanted to be successful since I was born. I'm 15 years old and I can't wait. I know Calculus, a bit of Multivariable C., advanced classical mechanics, and a bit of quantum mechanics (all those in mitOCW). I'm not going to lie, I want to solve the P=NP problem. The...
  45. M

    How many years of research before a professorhsip

    How many years does a postdoc have to spent active in researches before he can attain a full position as a professor and has his own laboratory? Not too long ago I found a PhD thesis of my current group leader, it was written in 2000 or so and now (after 14 years) he has become a prof and has...
  46. Dishsoap

    Choose "safety" research area, or more risky at a top school

    Greetings all, Just thought I'd hear you out on a decision I'm trying to make before applying to graduate school this fall, however going to keep it vague so it doesn't come around to bite me in the butt. I did an REU in physics sub-field A at a school which is #1 in the nation for sub-field...
  47. Lagraaaange

    Fluid Mechanics/Geology research with geologist useful?

    If I were to do research in fluid mechanics with a geologist, would this be looked down upon by grad programs if I went into, say astrophysics or HEP? I don't know what I want to specialize in yet?
  48. O

    Physics research stories (your own stories)

    There are a lot of Q&A about research in physics here. I'd like to know more about examples of your own career path. Did you change your subject, how did it work out? Did you do work mostly independently, and if so, when did you start? How did you pick your school? I'm a 23 years old physics...
  49. M

    Etiquette approaching math professors for research?

    How exactly should an undergraduate approach a professor to ask about research opportunities? Would it be preferable to send an email or go talk about it during their office hours? A call perhaps? Also, out of curiosity, is it annoying when an undergraduate wants to do research in math? In...
  50. E

    MHB Random Graphs: Helping Paula Understand Discrete Math

    I am new to this, and not understanding discrete math very well. This is one of my week 4 discussion questions. If someone could help me apply this to a life situation so I could understand this question better, please? I am a CNC Mill machinist, and I understand programming a computerized...
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