<p>I have a question that's been bugging me for quite some time, what constitutes research?!? In my opinion when people say that they did research i assume they have made a new discovery in a certain field or expanded on someone else's research and added something new.
However, after seeing the myriad of students on here who say they've done research i find that hard to believe considering my definition. In addition when students say they've done research at a university with a proffessor, does that mean that it was a partnership or more of a "mentorship" where the proffessor leads the way and the student just get adds his name to the paper.
I would like to do research but i find it difficult to do because as high schoolers, how advanced can we be in our knowledge of certain fields where we can do research that ranks with the that of the experts. I'm sure that none of the research conducted by high school students ranks with that of experts unless they are highly motivated in one area and even then it seems dubious. Please enlighten me, i'm sorry if i come of condescending but given my definition it seems hard to believe that high schoolers do research, which means that i must be wrong in my assumptions.
In any case please fill me in</p>
<p>Same good question</p>
<p>in for answer</p>
<p>Being a debater might make me very biased but I do believe people can research as high schoolers. Look up policy debate and watch debates on like youtube/gvideo. They research extensively. Research is a formalized way of backing up your contentions with information not directly out in the open. I'm sure you've done research papers and this is analogous. </p>
<p>If you meant under a science lens well I suppose that is a different story.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure the OP is asking about science research and such...</p>
<p>Yeah, i'm referring to science but still thanks for your contribution.</p>
<p>I believe research to be like a student innovation. Take a look at some old research projects. Many of the projects don't require super super advanced stuff. The student typically makes a project proposal by looking through scientific magazines and journals. there's many good ideas there. Narrow the topic down to something reasonable and contact a professor at a university. It might take time to find a prof who isnt busy or uninterested. The professor then typically helps the student out a bit. You should have some experience with the scientific method and lab methods and research procedures. The professor will explain the aspects that MATTER for the research project to the student typically. The innovation is by the student typically. The professors helps the student in the lab and teaches him/her a bit. (This part really isnt that bad. Suppose you research an aspect of organic chem. He will ONLY teach you a very brief and simple introduction in THAT aspect.. so it won't take too long.)</p>
<p>I;m not sure if it's completely right, but that's my general idea.</p>
<p>Thanks, i'm not sure if when you say the student has a project proposal that it's an idea that he or she comes with on his or her own? Or is it a proposal taken from ideas from a magazine.</p>
<p>There's plenty of innovative and original research. Just look at all the Intel ISEF/STS/Siemens project.</p>
<p>Then again, there's probably a lot of people writing down "independent research/Intel ISEF" on their apps for their project "Testing the pH level of soda".</p>
<p>I would like to know what undergrads, especially freshmen, typically do during the three days they have free. My son is a freshman.</p>
<p>^Wrong board....?</p>
<p>Anyway, as someone who has conducted research in a scientific setting (my school actually offers a research class), it's just a formal process for figuring out something new, even if it isn't a very important or useful something. For example, my project was on how math education tools and strategies affect the dynamics of a classroom. It involved lots of papers (design proposal, etc.) and lots of journal reading and surveying/interviewing teachers and students. I had a college professor as a mentor, but he just kind of helped me out when I had questions.</p>
<p>interesting board.....I was accepted into a summer research program (Iowa SSTP) where students do research with a professor, and I was wondering what kind of research I have to do with a prof. And I accepted the offer.
So doing research can be simple? I mean, you just take an idea or something thought of but there's not much stuff on it, so you research on it w/ prof telling you which is good or not. that kind of thing?</p>