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. 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...
  2. 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...
  3. 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...
  4. 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...
  5. 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...
  6. 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?
  7. 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...
  8. 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...
  9. 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?
  10. 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...
  11. 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...
  12. 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?
  13. 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?
  14. 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?
  15. 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...
  16. 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...
  17. 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...
  18. 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.
  19. 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...
  20. 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...
  21. 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
  22. 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...
  23. 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...
  24. 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...
  25. 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...
  26. 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...
  27. 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...
  28. 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...
  29. E

    Other Advice for Writing a Research Plan for a Postdoc Position

    Hi! I would like to apply to a postdoc position, but one of the requirements is to detail at least a 2-page research plan on a certain topic. I haven't worked on that topic specifically before, so, I would need to research it. However, this may take sometime to know exactly what to do, and I...
  30. L

    B Dark matter research paper question

    I'm writing a thesis for my high school research paper on dark matter. It's difficult to come up with a claim that is argumentative, engaging, and related to the research I've done on the scientific process in relation to theories about dark matter. Do you think I could reasonably argue that...
  31. M

    Material Science & Advanced Thin Film Technologies: Postgraduate Research

    Is it advisable to have a Material Science background if I would like to pursue a postgraduate research studies in advanced thin film technologies?
  32. T

    Slowing down the aging process: facts and latest research?

    Hi there, I would like to know all the ways or what I can do that actually works when it comes to slowing down or stopping the aging process for human males in both the brain and the body. I am one of those people that want to stay as youthfull as possible and to live as long as I can so...
  33. mcabbage

    Admissions Can additional research make up for a low GPA in graduate school admissions?

    Just looking for extra critique here: I'm a 2nd year math and physics student at a good uni in Canada. My average is in the 70s (B range, hoping to bring up to an 80/A- by the end of second year). The good thing is that Canadian unis will only look at my most recent 4 semesters or so (though I'd...
  34. astroman707

    Physics Is gravitational wave research a smart direction to go in?

    Is it a fair prediction to state that in the next several years or so, globally, there will be major investments into gravitational wave research, and many more ‘LIGOs’ being developed? Is it a good idea to venture into that area of physics?
  35. A

    A Quantum Gravity Research Group -- any standing in mainstream Physics?

    I would like to know if this group http://www.quantumgravityresearch.org/ and its Emergence Theory has any standing in main stream Physics. Thanks Andrew
  36. H

    News Free access to research databases

    https://www.scribendi.com/whitepapers/101_Free_Online_Journal_and_Research_Databases_for_Academics_Free_Resource.pdf
  37. Wrichik Basu

    Studying How to prepare for a life in research?

    I am student who wants to do research in physics, and aims for a life in research. Being in the final year of high school, I do not get a lot of time to devote to my passion - physics and related experiments. About 30mins in a day can be spared for extra studies, and I utilise this time fully...
  38. Ashley1999

    Programs Should I switch my major to Molecular Genetics?

    Hi, currently I am a freshman who is majoring in Biosystems Engineering. I selected this major because I did a lot of research into biology undergrads and I didn't like what I saw. I got the notion that these majors did not emphasize the technical skills necessary to do well in a science...
  39. astroman707

    Schools Do graduate schools look favorably upon published research?

    Do graduate schools in physics look more favorably upon undergraduate students with published research, rather than just research experience? How would an admissions committee weigh two students if one had done published research, but not in the field of physics of which he was applying for, and...
  40. astroman707

    I What areas of nano/optical research applies to astrophysics?

    I'm an undergraduate and there is a very good optical spectroscopy and nano-materials physics lab at my college. I have FULL access to all equipment and a professor in that field is offering me a ridiculous amount of co-research time during the school year. However, I'm really only interested...
  41. K

    Physics Dark Matter theoretical research

    Hello! I am currently applying for graduate schools in the USA and during my undergraduate career I was mainly involved in Dark Matter research. However, my research focused on testing different models (experimentally or using numerical simulations) and doing some basic calculations, basically...
  42. Hawkingo

    I Want some suggestions for research papers on quantum entanglement

    I want to know more about quantum entanglement and I am a undergrad student in physics.Can someone suggest some research journals or articles to easily understand the concept deeply?
  43. shemerk

    Research for a book - question

    Anyone knows if there's any kind of mineral that's relatively abundant on Earth but rare on other planets? thanks!
  44. PrinceWalnut

    Physics How to recommend a research mentor for a faculty position?

    Hi all! I'm an undergrad in physics in the USA, and a research professor I've been working with for the past ~2 years is applying for an open faculty position at an Australian university. She hasn't asked me to recommend her in any way, and I know that in all likelihood the word of some...
  45. B

    Schools Teaching vs. Research in Graduate School: Personal Statements

    I'm currently compiling materials for my graduate school applications this fall, and I'm having a bit of trouble deciding what to emphasize in terms of my experiences as an undergraduate, as well as my future career goals. I have a couple years of research experience (in computational...
  46. W

    Which Math Topic Should I choose for Research

    I am finishing up my undergraduate degree in Mathematics, for my last semester I need to choose a topic of research with a particular professor. I am interested in applied math, mostly mathematical physics but there are certain fields of math that may not seem like they relate to mathematical...
  47. L

    Programs Chemistry-Based Research Program or more Math/CS Courses?

    To sum up the current biggest stress of my life into a question: do you recommend that I stay in a biology/chemistry-based research program or pursue proof-based math courses? I am a freshman physics major at a good research university. I was invited into a very difficult program for "future...
  48. G

    Physics of Light/Infrared for Solar Stills Research

    Hi, I am doing my dissertation for Mechanical Engineering on Solar Stills and my mentor has suggested it would be a good idea to research the physics of light/infrared absorption, transmission, water evaporation and condensation. I am wondering if anyone has good book recommendations for me to...
  49. S

    Physicists who do research on complex systems

    Hi everyone. I have followed with interest in the work of physicists who have conducted research in the area of complex systems and nonlinear dynamics. For example, consider researchers such as Mark Newman from the University of Michigan, Jim Crutchfield of USC, or Doyne Farmer and David Wolpert...
  50. I

    Exploring the World of Science: A Warm Welcome to PF!

    I am an eleventh class student from India. Good in chemistry.
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