<p>Hi, I am asking the question bc i have been doing independent projects at home every year since 7th grade. I don't do like mix vinegar and oil or those type of projects. I mean like real science. I did a project that investigated the probability for photons to undergo quantum tunneling and it is getting published. So does it count as research although i did it at home by myself?</p>
<p>Also, is research done at universities, looked at more credibly than if one does the research on thier own? I ask bc i wonder if colleges will devalue the work i have done.</p>
<p>No question about it; that's real research. Getting published will definitely add credibility (although publishing is in no way required), so would getting your research mentor (if you have one) to write a supplemental recommendation or you. Otherwise, just talk about the research in an essay or something. But yeah, definitely doesn’t need to be associated with a university to be real research, and all the more power to you to be able to do such intense research on your own!</p>
<p>if you have to ask that question then it's not real research.</p>
<p>No it is very real. But often the moniker of research entails a mentor at a university blah, blah. But i taught it to myself over the years (quantum mechanics) so it is beyond college level. I just was wondering...on a side note i was happy about being published. But it is not the most reptuable publication only bc for those they don't publish high schoolers :(</p>