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Frequently Asked Questions
What is research? Research is an exploration or inquiry into some subject matter. In some form or another, research is conducted in every field—from medicine and psychology to communications and law. Each field has its own primary means of conducting research. Some researchers utilize the scientific method and experiments while others use more qualitative means. Research attempts to understand what is and poses questions about what might be. What is oral performance? Oral performance encompasses work in informative public speaking, persuasive public speaking, and solo dramatic performance. What is creative writing? Creative writing encompasses work in poetry, short fiction, and drama. What if my research interest involves human subjects? Why should I do undergraduate research? Doing undergraduate research allows you to better understand the research process, explore a topic in greater depth, and contribute to the discovery of new subjects of inquiry. Learning how to do research develops critical thinking skills while also giving you skills necessary for future education or work. It enables you to make connections with faculty mentors who will work closely with you in a more informal way than is usually possible in classroom settings. When should I start to do research? In many ways, you may already be doing research. When you write a paper for a literature class or do a chemistry lab you are developing some of the basic skills necessary for independent research. In terms of acquiring formal research skills, it’s never too early to start. Early in your career at NSU you should take a research methods course if one is available in your field of study. Most worthwhile research takes somewhere between four and twelve months to complete, so it’s best to start early. If you wait until the end of your senior year, you may not be able to finish your project. Furthermore, research builds on other research. You may find after taking part in your first research project that you want to explore other related topics of interest. Should I work as a research assistant with a faculty member or do my own research? That depends on where you are in your program of studies and what your goals are for graduate or professional school. You may want to start out as a research assistant with a faculty member. This will allow you to begin developing necessary research skills and knowledge. It will also enable you to develop a working relationship with a faculty mentor in which they support and advise you on future research projects. A common schedule is to work as a research assistant during your first and second years, followed by conducting independent research during your third and fourth years. Making connections early in your academic career is important. Because many students would like to obtain a research assistant position, performing well in a faculty member’s class will help you stand out. Where do I come up with a research question/project? Research is all around us. What is it about your field of choice that intrigues you? Many research projects build off of research that has already been conducted, so you might want to talk with some professors to see if they have suggestions for projects. Perhaps you are interested in the research they are conducting. Be aware that it is common to come up with research questions which are not practical given the time frame and resources available to you. As such, it is important to be open to and guided by the expertise of faculty mentors. Where else can I do research besides Nova Southeastern University? You might be able to take part in research experiences outside of NSU, even as an undergraduate. By taking the summer to work on research, you are letting graduate schools know you are dedicated to your field. The best place to do undergraduate summer research is at universities and laboratories (both public and private). Universities that award graduate degrees often have research programs. Do some exploration of summer research programs to see which ones are in your area and what you need to do to apply. Contact the programs to explain your interests and capabilities. Examples of places where you can do summer research include: What happens with the results of my research? This depends on you. If you have asked an interesting question (which you should) and conducted a good study (which you should) it would be a shame not to share your work with your colleagues at NSU and other professional audiences. Some people think it is unethical to conduct high-quality research and not disseminate the information, regardless of how the results turn out. There are many different forums where you can report the results of your research. Some of these are at the Nova Southeastern University Undergraduate Student Symposium and at various local, state, national, and international undergraduate research symposia, conferences, and journals, including journals specifically designed for undergraduate research. If your research and paper are of superior quality, you may be able to get it published in a professional academic journal. Faculty mentors can guide you through this process. Getting a paper published in a professional journal as an undergraduate is held in very high regard and can help you gain admission into highly competitive graduate and professional schools. Information on some undergraduate research symposia can be found at: What is it like to do research? Taking part in research is an exciting and challenging process. However, being successful at it requires hard work and dedication. If done properly, many students find conducting research to be one of the best undergraduate experiences they have. Some of the benefits of doing research include:
What are some examples of undergraduate research? Here are a few of the projects that students have taken part in and presented at the NSU Undergraduate Student Symposium:
Whom do I contact to try to get an opportunity to do research? You should first look into the types of research various faculty members are interested in. Then contact a faculty member who is performing research in the area you think you may be interested in. Make an appointment with the faculty member and express your desire to do research under her/his guidance. What field of research should I choose? The field of research solely depends on your interests. Pick a field that you are interested in and that you find exciting. Although not required, many students tend to pick a field of research related to their major studies. Are undergraduate summer research internships a good idea? Yes. The experience you gain from a summer internship is rewarding both academically and personally. Are there websites where I can find more information on undergraduate research?
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