<p>Hey, everyone. I'm actually feeling really frustrated right now, because I'm trying to come up with a topic for a research project and it's not working out at all. :[ Granted I only actually started my search yesterday, but I still feel so clueless whenever I sit down and try to find out what I can do. I want to do a project related to microbiology/biochemistry (or anything bio-related), since I find it really interesting and since it has so much potential, but I haven't learned anything about it in school. I try to read articles about what it is, but none of them are "in-depth" enough that they will allow me to understand enough to come up with a great experiment. I don't see how you guys who have done these kinds of projects (Intel/Siemens quality) managed to understand what was going on! Did you learn a bunch of the material in school, did you teach yourself, did you have a mentor that taught you? When I read about new discoveries in microbiology, I don't understand how the researchers even came up with the ideas, or where they got the initial information to come up with a project. How do YOU guys do it? This is something I'm very interested in and really want to do, mostly for my own satisfaction, but I feel like I just can't because I don't have a clue about any of this stuff. I would really appreciate ANY help whatsoever.</p>
<p>I had a pretty profound conversation with a black R&B artist named Mustafa in NYC during vacation.</p>
<p>I’m interested in this question, except that I want to do physics research.</p>
<p>I was going to suggest Wikipedia to narrow down some ideas, but after looking at the microbiology article, I realized that the pages for this field aren’t nearly as detailed/well-done as physics or math articles. Compare [environmental</a> microbiology](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_microbiology]environmental”>Microbial ecology - Wikipedia) to [url=<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_cosmology]physical”>Physical cosmology - Wikipedia]physical</a> cosmology<a href=“an%20area%20of%20physics%20I’m%20very%20interested%20in”>/url</a>.</p>
<p>Maybe getting a cheap used textbook would help on that “in-depth knowledge” criterion…</p>
<p>do research on quantum physics</p>
<p>Well, I can’t help with specifics (because I have no interest in science), but I do some research, so I have a few suggestions:</p>
<ol>
<li>The person who suggested buying a textbook is right. I would find the syllabus for an introductory-level college microbiology course and find the book that class uses. </li>
<li>I would also look at Open Courseware (ocw.mit.edu), which often includes lecture notes for the “classes” it provides. </li>
</ol>
<p>Once you have a firm grasp, it’s up to you to figure out what to do (I wish I could help more, but I really don’t know anything about the subject). </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Hey leftyy. I think I posted earlier in the STS thread. A couple of months ago I was in the exact same position. My opinion is that if you are having a hard time coming up with a topic, I would suggest contacting a local professor who is researching your field of interest ASAP if you are serious about research. In your email, say that you were interested in some of the research being carried out by the professor, and be sure to convey your passion and love for science and research. Just be straightforward and say that you were interested in assisting with some of the research being carried out and ask if they are any available positions. If all goes well, you may be able to complete some real research and have it ready in time to submit it to say Intel or Siemens.</p>
<p>The 2 most important tips are to start emailing MANY professors ASAP and to make your science passion clear in the emails you send. Good luck.</p>
<p>To anyone reading this and interested in research:</p>
<p>Do the above BEFORE your junior year or else you will rage at yourself.</p>
<p>(I offer myself as an example.)</p>