Exploring Research: A Journey of Curiosity and Discovery

uvmoffice.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/BiogeochemistryLabGroup/EeGbavMSnRNNhcwXRgh5zDYB-HvzzOq8nl22IlMAKH2Izg?e=cNUwayWelcome to the world of research—a journey where curiosity meets discovery and learning goes beyond textbooks. Research is an opportunity to explore science from start to finish: from developing an idea to conducting literature review, forming hypotheses, carrying out fieldwork and lab experiments, and analyzing data. It's a chance to develop valuable skills in procedures and instrument use, essential for your future endeavors. ​
This is why you should do research:
  • You will experience research in all aspects from beginning to end: an idea, literature research, hypothesis development, fieldwork, lab work, sample and data analyses. You will also synthesize this information and communicate it.
  • You will be trained in specific procedures and the use of instruments, which are important skills to have.  
  • It may seem far away but you will need letters of recommendation for internships, grad school, future employers even unpaid internships. I will be able to provide more meaningful letters when I can report on self-motivation, team work, diligence and resourcefulness. 
But consider this:
  • Research takes time, effort and self-motivation.
  • Your research project might turn out differently that you had expected. For example you might disprove your hypothesis or have to redo an experiment 3 times.
  • You might find some aspects tedious (hours of literature research, repetitive lab work, fieldwork during freezing rain).
  • Generating knowledge is very different from learning about what is already known. It might feel like leaving solid ground.
  • We take small steps and often only add a small piece to a mosaic rather than finishing the entire piece. 
Still interested?