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. 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?
  2. 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!
  3. 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...
  4. 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...
  5. 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...
  6. 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...
  7. 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...
  8. 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...
  9. I

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

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

    Astrophysics/solar physics research

    Which s the best topic in the following to do research n astrophysics...Solar flares,Coronal mass ejections, Geomagnetic storms
  11. FourEyedRaven

    Other The HB-11 Plasma Pinch: A Solution to Fusion Energy?

    Hi. I have a growing interest in fusion energy. For a couple of very important reasons, it seems to me that fusion energy is a major scientific priority, if not the most important technology to try to develop right now. I have a BSc and an MSc in math and I've always had an interest in...
  12. S

    Research about magnetic stick-on signs for cars

    <Moderator's note: advertisement link removed.> So I was making a research and would highly appreciate your help. I am making a research about car magnets as to how it is being made, materials, etc. any additional information from you would highly be appreciated...
  13. MichaelCadeOwen

    Researching Realistic Nuclear Fusion & Relativistic Physics for a Book

    I’m wanting to write a realistic sci-fi book but there are a few concepts I don’t understand how to apply. I’m not good with physics so what I’m wanting to know is how to calculate what pressure and temperature would be required for sustained nuclear fusion for something comparable to a star...
  14. CivilSigma

    Admissions Acceptable format of a Research Staement?

    I have read online that a research statement should follow an essay format. However, I am having a hard time transitioning from my introductory paragraph into my main body paragraphs. So, I was wondering if it would be possible to section my essay as follows: Would this be acceptable, or...
  15. Wrichik Basu

    Have you suffered for delay in submission of research paper?

    Say you were doing some research on some topic. You were very enthusiastic with it, and you had devoted a large amount of time in the research. Perhaps you would have been the first to discover something or make a theory on it. Then all of a sudden, one day you discover that someone else has...
  16. Avi Nandi

    A What are the frontiers of cosmology research?

    I have completed post grad in Physics and in the transition phase between post grad and Ph.D. I am interested in cosmology and also completed a post grad course on Astrophysics and Cosmology. Can anyone enlighten me about what are the current debates and active topics of research going on in...
  17. L

    Physics Looking For Research Experience in the future

    Hi all, I am a coming Year 4 Student majoring in physics in Asia. I started to think about my career path in the coming year, one thing for sure is that I would definitely go for a M.Phil Degree in my school that I am studying at right now. I have been thinking to go for PhD at oversea, such as...
  18. K

    What Are the Best Ways to Contribute and Exchange New Algorithms?

    I am someone who likes to come up with new algorithms. Is there a platform to exchange such ideas. Any mailing lists to advance computer science? Perhaps there are programs that accept new algorithms. Sorry if this is a vague post but this is a broad topic.
  19. binbagsss

    Other Operations research, stochastic dynamic programming, sources

    My lecture notes and recommended textbook Hillier and Liberman are not enough for me. My methodology and formulation of problems still seems like too much guess-work. Can anyone recommend any good resources, lecture notes or textbooks, for stochastic DP? Many thanks
  20. Mayur Sinha

    Physics How to do independent research in Physics?

    Hey folks! I have a degree in Electrical,Electronics and Communication Engineering and I work in Computer networking/Cybsersecurity field. Lately, I met one guy and we both decided to do some indepdendent research in electromagnetism as we both have fare amount of love for Physics( I'm in...
  21. bhobba

    Masters of Research in Australia: Pros and Cons

    Here in Australia some universities are transitioning to a new preparation program for a PhD called a Masters Of Research: https://www.mq.edu.au/research/phd-and-research-degrees/explore-research-degrees/master-of-research/Master-of-Research-propectus-2018.pdf If you want to go on and do the...
  22. jim mcnamara

    NASA Ars Technica: Pew research indicates other NASA priorities

    https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/06/nasas-priorities-appear-to-be-out-of-whack-with-what-the-public-wants/ Title: NASA’s priorities appear to be out of whack with what the public wants "The public thinks that we should have a space program that saves Earth." In the list presented in the...
  23. Wrichik Basu

    Other Internship/research project topics in Physics

    I recently found that Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS), (located in Kolkata near my house) allows students to use their laboratory for a fee. Moreover, I have received a scholarship from them, and as a consequence, they will let me do anything I like in their lab provided...
  24. Jacob Daniel

    Nice to meet you all. I am a 2nd year chemistry undergrad.

    Hello, Like the title suggests, I am a 2nd year chemistry undergrad. I am pursuing my degree at the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, Canada. I was wondering if any of you have come across some area of research that you think might potentially interest me. I am looking for inspiration, as I...
  25. M

    Engineering Tips for a research assistant internship

    i , I am a nuclear engineering " bachelor "student , I will be spending my summer at a university as a research assistant I know the topic I will be working on . Any tips ? may sound silly even when it comes to dealing with people ? or clothes to wear . thank you
  26. A

    Programs Gaining Research Experience as a Mathematics Major

    So I am about to switch to mathematics, as I absolutely adore pure mathematics as well as applied mathematics and I cannot stand learning mathematics without going deep into rigor of it for now(I am aware however that at times one just has to quickly learn sth to proceed with a project). But in...
  27. M

    Programs Applying for SULI: Tips for Success with 3.81 GPA

    I have applied to SULI the past two summers and have been declined. I believe I am a strong candidate; I have a 3.81 gpa, have done chemistry research in a materials science and computational chem lab, and been published twice as an undergrad. The two labs I applied for are NREL and Argonne for...
  28. Y

    Other Gap Year Physics Research for an International Student?

    Just got rejected by nearly all of my grad schools (one hasn't reply but the chance is pretty small). The funding is super harsh this year in my field and even worse for a student from China. Is there any way for an international student to take a gap year for physics research in the U.S? ( My...
  29. Robin04

    Studying Managing individual research projects, how to self study

    I’m starting my undergraduate physics degree next semester but I really like to study different fields on my own without any external motivation or obligation related to school. As I want to be a theoretical physicist I think this is something that I really have to be good at, because I imagine...
  30. S

    Research Guidance on Tropical Cyclones (Hurricanes)

    Hello, I am undergraduate student doing research and I am studying hurricane Katrina my completed math course is Calculus 3 which is up to Vector calculus. For my research I want study only wind force of the hurricane Katrina and I have a process but I want to know if its valid and what...
  31. binbagsss

    Operations Research: Simplex table, unbound optimal solution

    Homework Statement Hi I am looking at this question attached part c). 2. Homework Equations The Attempt at a SolutionI can by my notes which tell me that if I reach a column with a negative reduced cost and also all of that column is negative, then to stop, as z is unbounded, to conclude...
  32. BiGyElLoWhAt

    Other Research Proposal For Senior thesis - GR Solar System Model

    Hi All. On Tuesday I have to present my research proposal for my undergrad research. I intend to model our solar system using general relativity and compare and contrast my results with observations. Attached is my paper that I had to submit to my adviser. He suggested that I talk about some...
  33. F

    Other Questions about research in mathematics

    A person told me that doing math research independently (alone) is very difficult, because the findings of someone who is not interacting with the experts in a given field of study will most likely not be "novel", that is, they would have already been published before. Is that true ? Can the...
  34. Q

    Programs Is studying physics as a part time degree effective?

    Hi I have come to a conclusion that I cannot study physics master's in any form since I don't have the necessary background. I am considering the option of pursuing physics degree in part time while working. My question is, if I were to complete bachelor's and master's, would I be eligible to...
  35. G

    Research while playing catch up

    Hey folks, I'm a PhD student that stumbled into some stuff that's a bit over my head. My program is broad covering and geoscience is under the umbrella of the program. I had been a part of some scientific work in the past regarding magnetic anomalies and it sparked my interest. I wanted to...
  36. R

    Schools How can a high school student get involved in research?

    I'm currently in high school and interested in physics. I want to get involved in research somehow - whether it be as an intern, or actually conducting a project, so I can expose myself to the process and community. First of all, is this worth it? Will it help me get accepted into a good program...
  37. Dadface

    Funding Research: Pros & Cons of Popular Science

    [This thread was forked from https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/the-pros-and-cons-of-pop-science.943499/] I think that some scientists in particular theoreticians, need to occasionally use some popularising skills in order to justify their work to those who hold the purse strings. Quite...
  38. K

    Other Undergraduate research or thesis topics in electrical power

    Hi I am an electrical engineering student, would like to do research and or a thesis in electrical power engineering. However, because our university does not offer any courses on this topic, I am left alone to peruse the books and literature and find some topic of interest. do not know if this...
  39. Michael Sullivan

    Other Undergrad: What are Research Procedures supposed to be?

    I am starting some undergraduate research with Cs-137 and Co-60 gamma-ray shielding. I'm looking for gamma-ray attenuation as well as energy spectra of the gamma-rays through backscattering and a NaI scintillation counter. I wrote an abstract, designed the testing equipment and set-up and what...
  40. W

    Programs Crisis in pursuing my PhD in Physics

    I've completed a masters degree in physics and my research was on cosmological inflation, though knowing some basic GR (Hartle, Schutz, Ohanian) and cosmology (papers), I haven't had any formal course in QFT, I'm now halfway through QFT by Blundell so nothing profound there, now I wanted to get...
  41. P

    Schools Is it selfish to look for research outside of your university?

    After thinking a lot about my posts earlier about doing research elsewhere over the summer and discussing things with my professors, I wanted to thank the people here (specifically @Vanadium 50, for being straightforward) for what they said earlier as it made me reflect on my thoughts and...
  42. binbagsss

    Studying How hard is it to do original work in a summer dissertation

    ..in a taught masters (UK). My undergrad project was a literature review on general relativity The topic of my project this summer (3 months) will be modified theories of gravity & cosmology. How do you go about doing some original work at this level? - would the first step be to identify a...
  43. A

    Other Previous Research experience and contribution essay

    I'm trying to write an 1800 character (including spaces) essay that describes my previous research experience and contribution. I'm using a GRF previous research experience document as a guide line but I think it's impossible to include all of that into 1800 characters. I have provided a link...
  44. P

    New research tool or just an idea?

    Recently a Chinese article was published that claims a new LIDAR technique for atmospheric sensing. The article only consists of the Abstract with no further information. It is very brief which makes me suspect this is someones pipe dream. A link to the article is given below. The "new" concept...
  45. A

    Other Senior Quantum Mechanics Research Project

    I am going to be doing a high school senior research project on how Quantum Physics will change the world in the future. Basically my current idea is to describe what quantum mechanics is, and then give examples that I explain and I state how they will change the world and the estimated time...
  46. Stephenk53

    Other Senior research physics idea help

    I am beginning my senior research project and I am unsure of what to have for a topic. It is an English class but I plan on doing it on either STEM or history. Any ideas
  47. VuIcan

    A quick question regarding undergraduate research

    Hi there, so my friend and I recently asked our professor to allow us to do research with her, whatever that entails. She requested that we submit a CV and a short e-mail to her. This is my first time doing this sort of thing so I'm completely clueless in regards to what a professor might find...
  48. A

    Testing What Are Good Topics for a Non-Experimental Physics Research Project?

    Hello, Sorry, I'm sure this question has been asked many a time, however I could not find anything satisfying my needs. Basically, I need a research task soon, and I really don't know anywhere else to ask for advice. I have thought about this for a couple hours and researched however I could...
  49. H

    Yes, a lot of math is useless -- "Publish or Perish" for research mathematicians

    I've published a dozen or so research level math papers (most with co-authors), and every single one of them is utterly pointless. I do it because that's what research mathematicians have to do in order to get and keep a professorship. Publish or perish, as the old saying goes. I believe a lot...
  50. Buzz Bloom

    New Cancer Research at Stanford

    https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2018/01/cancer-vaccine-eliminates-tumors-in-mice.html Some quotes from the report. Activating T cells in tumors eliminated even distant metastases in mice, Stanford researchers found. Lymphoma patients are being recruited to test the technique in a clinical...
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