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. 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...
  2. 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...
  3. M

    Schools Grad school - importance of research

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  4. 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...
  5. 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...
  6. 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...
  7. 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...
  8. N

    Getting Help with Patent Funding for Climate Research

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  9. 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...
  10. D

    Do full time research actually mean working the whole day?

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  11. jbrussell93

    Admissions Grad admissions - GPA vs published research?

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  12. F

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

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  13. E

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

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  14. V

    Which engineering branch is good for research works in future?

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  15. J

    Career path for research in CS

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  16. G

    Schools Physics research experience high school

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  17. F

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

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  18. K

    Astro Physics Research for Undergrads

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  19. G

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

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  20. A

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

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  21. R

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

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  22. M

    Masters or Ph.D for a Research Career?

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  23. D

    Looking for research areas/topics accessible to a highschooler

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  24. S

    Question: Transitioning into another research field

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  25. S

    Need Research Question Related to Multiverse (High School Level)

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  26. K

    Is Multiple Research Experience Necessary for Graduate School Applications?

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  27. C

    Schools Research in field other than graduate school specialization?

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  28. A

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  29. C

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  30. I

    EE, BioE, Signals, and Research Projects

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  31. U

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

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  32. 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...
  33. 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.
  34. 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...
  35. 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...
  36. A

    Getting out of 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...
  37. R

    What is XFoil and How Does it Aid in Airfoil Design Research?

    Does anyone know of any types of research out there that attempts to establish analytical ways to design an airfoil. As far as I understand it right now, when someone wants to design an airplane they grab some premade airfoil shapes and test there design empirically using CFD or a wind tunnel...
  38. H

    Research articles available at an easier linguistic level?

    I'm a freshman who is going to declare biology as my major oin a few days (the first year was the common year). I'm interested in reading scholarly research articles focusing on important breakthroughs and current trends in biology. I wouold like to ask if someone knows a (or more than one) good...
  39. A

    Schools Undergraduate research in graduate school admission

    If I did theoretical research in a certain area of physics but applied to graduate school indicating interest in another area of theory, will that affect my chances?
  40. M

    Physics Research topics in Medical Physics

    Hi I graduated last summer with major physics and minor medical physics (minor includes 3 courses : Ionizing radiation, non-Ionizing radiation, radiation protection and a project in QA/QC ) I work now in medical physics department as a demonstrator which is a small one with few staff I...
  41. jbrussell93

    Should I continue with research?

    Some background: I first became interested in research in high school after doing a field biology research program. I did bird banding and some water quality work and absolutely LOVED it. I loved being outdoors, loved the teacher, loved the other students, and learned to love birds. This was...
  42. D

    Help with Research: Ideas for Extending Problem Results

    Hello all, I would like to start by saying that i new to this website and am not sure if this the exact category i should be posting this question in. I recently began studying a problem which can be best described as a variation on the hydrogen atom problem, where the electrostatic Coulombic...
  43. H

    Exploring TerraWatt Research: Innovative Alternative Energy Solutions

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  44. S

    How soon should I be looking for a research or internship position?

    I'm a freshmen going into summer with neither. Does this matter that much or should I just try that much harder next year to get one?
  45. A

    Research Topic: What would you choose?

    As a physics/comp sci double major, for my honors degree I have to partake in a year of directed independent research. I'm currently doing physics research in the field of cosmology, specifically the CMBR and optimizing scan strategies for asymmetric beam patterns. For my computer science...
  46. A

    Research Topic: What would you choose?

    As a physics/comp sci double major, for my honors degree I have to partake in a year of directed independent research. I'm currently doing physics research in the field of cosmology, specifically the CMBR and optimizing scan strategies for asymmetric beam patterns. For my computer science...
  47. E

    Advice on my first research presentation

    Hey, I was wondering if anyone had some last minute advice in preparing for a first presentation. I gave presentations in high school and freshman college lit classes and such, but I was never really concerned about embarrassing myself ^^;...usually nothing was all that important...so this is...
  48. B

    What is the status of research on gravitons and Higgs bosons?

    What is the present state of research on gravitons and Higgs bosons? How much has the research advanced?
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