Finding Research Projects

Basic research is

• research intended to enhance basic knowledge about the physical, biological, psychological, or social world order or to shed light on historical, cultural, or aesthetic phenomena

• large scale research performed under contract with a governmental agency such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), etc.

• informal research conducted locally by a small staff with a small budget, the purpose of which is to pave the way for larger research initiatives

• research intended to address issues that have immediate relevance to current practices, procedures, and policies

Applied research is

• research intended to enhance basic knowledge and theoretical reasoning about the world

• large-scale research performed under contract with a governmental agency

• informal research conducted by a small staff with a small budget, designed to shed light on a problem of local interest

• research that informs human decision making about immediate, practical problems

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Which of the following represents a well-written basic research problem?

• "Which general education course is more interesting, U. S. History or World Music?"

• "How do business teams of six or fewer members compare to teams of more than six members in terms of productivity?"

• "How does the organization of mathematical information in long-term memory differ between 3-year-olds and 13-year-olds?"

• "What is the ratio of native-born students to international students on the campuses of major U. S. state universities?"

Which of the following represents a well-written applied research problem?

• "Which general education course is more interesting, U. S. History or World Music?"

• "How do business teams of six or fewer members compare to teams of more than six members in terms of productivity?"

• "How does the organization of mathematical information in long-term memory differ between 3-year-olds and 13-year-olds?"

• "What is the ratio of native-born students to international students on the campuses of major U. S. state universities?"

Three of the following questions lend themselves well to research. Which one does NOT?

• "Which general education course is more interesting, U. S. History or World Music?"

• "How do business teams of six or fewer members compare to teams of more than six members in terms of productivity?"

• "How does the organization of mathematical information in long-term memory differ between 3-year-olds and 13-year-olds?"

• "What is the ratio of native-born students to international students on the campuses of major U. S. state universities?"