What is Research?

• diligent... means research takes effort, attention, and persistence.

• systematic... means research is a process that requires thought and planning.

• inquiry... means research is driven by asking questions.

• investigation... means research involves examining findings to create meaning.

• discovery... means research uncovers or adds new knowledge or understanding.​

• revision... means research may update or alter existing knowledge or understanding.

• NOT just gathering and reporting information.While research involves gathering information, it is more than just information gathering. Research is also more than just combining and rearranging facts. With research, you create new meaning from information you find.

• NOT just a paper.While you might share the results of your research by writing a paper, research is more than paper writing. Research is a process of creating new knowledge or understanding, and you may share findings in multiple ways.

• NOT just for school.Researching is helpful throughout your life now and in the future, whether you are trying to figure out who to vote for, what to buy, where to go to school, when to change jobs, why to make a medical decision, etc.​