What do you think of when you hear the term 'research'? People frequently answer that question in different ways based upon their own personal experiences.
Here are a few examples of how the following group of individuals might answer the question, 'What is research?':
Joan, a university freshman
'A royal pain'
'Searching the Web the night before my paper's due'
James, a university junior
'Something that my professors keep stressing is important'
'A process that I begin at least one week before my paper is due'
Mandy, graduating senior
'A series of investigative activities that I really wish I'd been taught when I was a freshman'
'A skill that will help me get a good job or a position in graduate school'
Joshua, PhD student
'The process I use to determine what major topic I will investigate for for my doctoral thesis'
'The techniques I use to test my hypothesis'
Dr. Connors, Vaccine Research Scientist
'The process that I use to develop a new vaccine'
'Carefully monitored and controlled experiments designed to answer my questions'
Gil Grissom, Ph.D., forensic entomologist, Las Vegas CSI
'Knowing what questions to ask - What angle did the bullet exit the body?, Is there blood on the broken glass, and if so, whose is it?, How old are the insect larvae on the victim's body?'
'Having the appropriate databases and technology to perform your analyses'
Dr. Gregory House, M.D., Head of Diagnostics, Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, New Jersey
'Looking at every shred of information you have about the patient - lab work, physical symptoms, life history - and then go with your gut to make the diagnosis'
'Using all the diagnostic tools of modern medicine and thinking outside the box'
Hermione Granger, student, Hogwarts Academy, Scotland
'Reading everything you can about the problem at hand - history, science, wizardry'
'Applying this information in an effort to solve the problem'
Homer Simpson, Safety Inspector, Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, Springfield, ???
'It's very important to me. Every night I search for the TV remote and I can't find it - so I re-search until I do.'
'D'oh!'
So what's the bottom line? In every aspect of life, our knowledge is incomplete and problems are waiting to be solved. We address the hole in our knowledge and those unresolved problems by asking relevant questions and seeking answers to them. In science, the role of research is to provide a method for obtaining those answers by studying the evidence within the parameters of the scientific method. Using this method enables diseases to be diagnosed, new vaccines to be developed, crimes to be solved, greater understanding about global warming and many other important questions to be answered.
The Department of Biology at SUNY Fredonia is particularly proud of the research opportunities it provides to undergraduates. These types of opportunities are typically only available to graduate students at very large universities, and very small colleges frequently do not have the resources to offer research opportunities to their students. The Biology Department at SUNY Fredonia provides opportunities for students to work closely with faculty members on original research projects during the academic year and the summer. Summer research fellowships are available to students and provide a generous stipend and supplies budget. Our research students present their results at campus, regional and national meetings, and have been co-authors of papers published in scientific journals.
So what's the benefit to you if you are a Biology Department student and perform undergraduate research?
You will:
- Challenge yourself to achieve high goals.
- Learn more about yourself, your likes and dislikes.
- Meet other students who share your interest and passion in scientific exploration.
- Develop a mentored relationship with one of our faculty members.
- Learn how to develop and test hypotheses by using the scientific method.
- Strengthen your record of professional achievement in support of applications to graduate and professional schools.
- Have a great addition to your transcript and resume that will be very attractive to prospective employers.
- Personally contribute to the collective body of knowledge in science.