<p>Research can be different things. There is bench, translational, clinical, and some other types that most don’t do at the ugrad level. I think most end up doing some sort of bench research, which could be developing a protocol to differentiate stems cells to another type of tissue, or studying the the effects of a certain cytokine on tumor development and what not. Generally, you will either be working with a PI or their grad student. They usually develop the experiment and you are the one doing the labor testing it out and reporting the results back to them. Usually you start off learning about the basic lab techniques used in the lab, you start reading papers pertinent to the group and what you are doing, and other stuff that is PI/group dependent. If you are there long enough, you might start developing ideas you want to experiment, with the PIs help.</p>
<p>However, clinical experience through volunteering/shadowing is much more important than research. Research does help when it applies to the top schools.</p>