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What is Research: Definition, Methods, Types & Examples

The search for knowledge is closely linked to the object of study; that is, to the reconstruction of the facts that will provide an explanation to an observed event and that at first sight can be considered as a problem. It is very human to seek answers and satisfy our curiosity. Let’s talk about research.

Content Index

What is Research?

What are the characteristics of research.

• Comparative analysis chart

Qualitative methods

Quantitative methods, 8 tips for conducting accurate research.

Research is the careful consideration of study regarding a particular concern or research problem using scientific methods. According to the American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie, “research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain, predict, and control the observed phenomenon. It involves inductive and deductive methods.”

Inductive methods analyze an observed event, while deductive methods verify the observed event. Inductive approaches are associated with qualitative research , and deductive methods are more commonly associated with quantitative analysis .

Research is conducted with a purpose to:

• Identify potential and new customers
• Understand existing customers
• Set pragmatic goals
• Develop productive market strategies
• Address business challenges
• Put together a business expansion plan
• Identify new business opportunities
• Good research follows a systematic approach to capture accurate data. Researchers need to practice ethics and a code of conduct while making observations or drawing conclusions.
• The analysis is based on logical reasoning and involves both inductive and deductive methods.
• Real-time data and knowledge is derived from actual observations in natural settings.
• There is an in-depth analysis of all data collected so that there are no anomalies associated with it.
• It creates a path for generating new questions. Existing data helps create more research opportunities.
• It is analytical and uses all the available data so that there is no ambiguity in inference.
• Accuracy is one of the most critical aspects of research. The information must be accurate and correct. For example, laboratories provide a controlled environment to collect data. Accuracy is measured in the instruments used, the calibrations of instruments or tools, and the experiment’s final result.

What is the purpose of research?

There are three main purposes:

• Exploratory: As the name suggests, researchers conduct exploratory studies to explore a group of questions. The answers and analytics may not offer a conclusion to the perceived problem. It is undertaken to handle new problem areas that haven’t been explored before. This exploratory data analysis process lays the foundation for more conclusive data collection and analysis.

LEARN ABOUT: Descriptive Analysis

• Descriptive: It focuses on expanding knowledge on current issues through a process of data collection. Descriptive research describe the behavior of a sample population. Only one variable is required to conduct the study. The three primary purposes of descriptive studies are describing, explaining, and validating the findings. For example, a study conducted to know if top-level management leaders in the 21st century possess the moral right to receive a considerable sum of money from the company profit.

LEARN ABOUT: Best Data Collection Tools

• Explanatory: Causal research or explanatory research is conducted to understand the impact of specific changes in existing standard procedures. Running experiments is the most popular form. For example, a study that is conducted to understand the effect of rebranding on customer loyalty.

Here is a comparative analysis chart for a better understanding:

It begins by asking the right questions and choosing an appropriate method to investigate the problem. After collecting answers to your questions, you can analyze the findings or observations to draw reasonable conclusions.

When it comes to customers and market studies, the more thorough your questions, the better the analysis. You get essential insights into brand perception and product needs by thoroughly collecting customer data through surveys and questionnaires . You can use this data to make smart decisions about your marketing strategies to position your business effectively.

To make sense of your study and get insights faster, it helps to use a research repository as a single source of truth in your organization and manage your research data in one centralized data repository .

Types of research methods and Examples

Research methods are broadly classified as Qualitative and Quantitative .

Both methods have distinctive properties and data collection methods .

Qualitative research is a method that collects data using conversational methods, usually open-ended questions . The responses collected are essentially non-numerical. This method helps a researcher understand what participants think and why they think in a particular way.

Types of qualitative methods include:

• One-to-one Interview
• Focus Groups
• Ethnographic studies
• Text Analysis

Quantitative methods deal with numbers and measurable forms . It uses a systematic way of investigating events or data. It answers questions to justify relationships with measurable variables to either explain, predict, or control a phenomenon.

Types of quantitative methods include:

• Survey research
• Descriptive research
• Correlational research

LEARN MORE: Descriptive Research vs Correlational Research

Remember, it is only valuable and useful when it is valid, accurate, and reliable. Incorrect results can lead to customer churn and a decrease in sales.

It is essential to ensure that your data is:

• Valid – founded, logical, rigorous, and impartial.
• Accurate – free of errors and including required details.
• Reliable – other people who investigate in the same way can produce similar results.
• Timely – current and collected within an appropriate time frame.
• Complete – includes all the data you need to support your business decisions.

Gather insights

• Identify the main trends and issues, opportunities, and problems you observe. Write a sentence describing each one.
• Keep track of the frequency with which each of the main findings appears.
• Make a list of your findings from the most common to the least common.
• Evaluate a list of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats identified in a SWOT analysis .
• Prepare conclusions and recommendations about your study.
• Act on your strategies
• Look for gaps in the information, and consider doing additional inquiry if necessary
• Plan to review the results and consider efficient methods to analyze and interpret results.

Review your goals before making any conclusions about your study. Remember how the process you have completed and the data you have gathered help answer your questions. Ask yourself if what your analysis revealed facilitates the identification of your conclusions and recommendations.

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Research Basics

• What Is Research?
• Types of Research
• Secondary Research | Literature Review
• Developing Your Topic
• Primary vs. Secondary Sources
• Evaluating Sources
• Responsible Conduct of Research
• More Information

A good working definition of research might be:

Research is the deliberate, purposeful, and systematic gathering of data, information, facts, and/or opinions for the advancement of personal, societal, or overall human knowledge.

Based on this definition, we all do research all the time. Most of this research is casual research. Asking friends what they think of different restaurants, looking up reviews of various products online, learning more about celebrities; these are all research.

Formal research includes the type of research most people think of when they hear the term “research”: scientists in white coats working in a fully equipped laboratory. But formal research is a much broader category that just this. Most people will never do laboratory research after graduating from college, but almost everybody will have to do some sort of formal research at some point in their careers.

So What Do We Mean By “Formal Research?”

Casual research is inward facing: it’s done to satisfy our own curiosity or meet our own needs, whether that’s choosing a reliable car or figuring out what to watch on TV. Formal research is outward facing. While it may satisfy our own curiosity, it’s primarily intended to be shared in order to achieve some purpose. That purpose could be anything: finding a cure for cancer, securing funding for a new business, improving some process at your workplace, proving the latest theory in quantum physics, or even just getting a good grade in your Humanities 200 class.

What sets formal research apart from casual research is the documentation of where you gathered your information from. This is done in the form of “citations” and “bibliographies.” Citing sources is covered in the section "Citing Your Sources."

Formal research also follows certain common patterns depending on what the research is trying to show or prove. These are covered in the section “Types of Research.”

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• Last Updated: May 21, 2024 9:38 AM
• URL: https://guides.library.iit.edu/research_basics

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Research methods--quantitative, qualitative, and more: overview.

• Quantitative Research
• Qualitative Research
• Data Science Methods (Machine Learning, AI, Big Data)
• Text Mining and Computational Text Analysis
• Evidence Synthesis/Systematic Reviews
• Get Data, Get Help!

About Research Methods

This guide provides an overview of research methods, how to choose and use them, and supports and resources at UC Berkeley. 

As Patten and Newhart note in the book Understanding Research Methods , "Research methods are the building blocks of the scientific enterprise. They are the "how" for building systematic knowledge. The accumulation of knowledge through research is by its nature a collective endeavor. Each well-designed study provides evidence that may support, amend, refute, or deepen the understanding of existing knowledge...Decisions are important throughout the practice of research and are designed to help researchers collect evidence that includes the full spectrum of the phenomenon under study, to maintain logical rules, and to mitigate or account for possible sources of bias. In many ways, learning research methods is learning how to see and make these decisions."

The choice of methods varies by discipline, by the kind of phenomenon being studied and the data being used to study it, by the technology available, and more.  This guide is an introduction, but if you don't see what you need here, always contact your subject librarian, and/or take a look to see if there's a library research guide that will answer your question. 

Suggestions for changes and additions to this guide are welcome! 

START HERE: SAGE Research Methods

Without question, the most comprehensive resource available from the library is SAGE Research Methods.  HERE IS THE ONLINE GUIDE  to this one-stop shopping collection, and some helpful links are below:

• SAGE Research Methods
• Little Green Books  (Quantitative Methods)
• Little Blue Books  (Qualitative Methods)
• Dictionaries and Encyclopedias  
• Case studies of real research projects
• Sample datasets for hands-on practice
• Streaming video--see methods come to life
• Methodspace- -a community for researchers
• SAGE Research Methods Course Mapping

Library Data Services at UC Berkeley

Library Data Services Program and Digital Scholarship Services

The LDSP offers a variety of services and tools !  From this link, check out pages for each of the following topics:  discovering data, managing data, collecting data, GIS data, text data mining, publishing data, digital scholarship, open science, and the Research Data Management Program.

Be sure also to check out the visual guide to where to seek assistance on campus with any research question you may have!

Library GIS Services

Other Data Services at Berkeley

D-Lab Supports Berkeley faculty, staff, and graduate students with research in data intensive social science, including a wide range of training and workshop offerings Dryad Dryad is a simple self-service tool for researchers to use in publishing their datasets. It provides tools for the effective publication of and access to research data. Geospatial Innovation Facility (GIF) Provides leadership and training across a broad array of integrated mapping technologies on campu Research Data Management A UC Berkeley guide and consulting service for research data management issues

General Research Methods Resources

Here are some general resources for assistance:

• Assistance from ICPSR (must create an account to access): Getting Help with Data , and Resources for Students
• Wiley Stats Ref for background information on statistics topics
• Survey Documentation and Analysis (SDA) .  Program for easy web-based analysis of survey data.

Consultants

• D-Lab/Data Science Discovery Consultants Request help with your research project from peer consultants.
• Research data (RDM) consulting Meet with RDM consultants before designing the data security, storage, and sharing aspects of your qualitative project.
• Statistics Department Consulting Services A service in which advanced graduate students, under faculty supervision, are available to consult during specified hours in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Related Resourcex

• IRB / CPHS Qualitative research projects with human subjects often require that you go through an ethics review.
• OURS (Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships) OURS supports undergraduates who want to embark on research projects and assistantships. In particular, check out their "Getting Started in Research" workshops
• Sponsored Projects Sponsored projects works with researchers applying for major external grants.
• Next: Quantitative Research >>
• Last Updated: Apr 25, 2024 11:09 AM
• URL: https://guides.lib.berkeley.edu/researchmethods

What Is Research and Why We Do It

• First Online: 23 June 2020

Cite this chapter

• Carlo Ghezzi 2  

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The notions of science and scientific research are discussed and the motivations for doing research are analyzed. Research can span a broad range of approaches, from purely theoretical to practice-oriented; different approaches often coexist and fertilize each other. Research ignites human progress and societal change. In turn, society drives and supports research. The specific role of research in Informatics is discussed. Informatics is driving the current transition towards the new digital society in which we will live in the future.

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In [ 34 ], P.E. Medawar discusses what he calls the “snobismus” of pure versus applied science. In his words, this is one of the most damaging forms of snobbism, which draws a class distinction between pure and applied science.

Originality, rigor, and significance have been defined and used as the key criteria to evaluate research outputs by the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) [ 46 ]. A research evaluation exercise has been performed periodically since 1986 on UK higher education institutions and their research outputs have been rated according to their originality, rigor, and significance.

The importance of realizing that “we don’t know” was apparently first stated by Socrates, according to Plato’s account of his thought. This is condensed in the famous paradox “I know that I don’t know.”

This view applies mainly to natural and physical sciences.

Roy Amara was President of the Institute for Future, a USA-based think tank, from 1971 until 1990.

The Turing Award is generally recognized as the Nobel prize of Informatics.

See http://uis.unesco.org/apps/visualisations/research-and-development-spending/ .

Israel is a very good example. Investments in research resulted in a proliferation of new, cutting-edge enterprises. The term start-up nation has been coined by Dan Senor and Saul Singer in their successful book [ 51 ] to characterize this phenomenon.

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/societal-challenges .

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/cross-cutting-activities-focus-areas .

This figure has been adapted from a presentation by A. Fuggetta, which describes the mission of Cefriel, an Italian institution with a similar role of Fraunhofer, on a smaller scale.

The ERC takes an ecumenical approach and calls the research sector “Computer Science and Informatics.”

I discuss here the effect of “big data” on research, although most sectors of society—industry, finance, health, …—are also deeply affected.

Carayannis, E., Campbell, D.: Mode 3 knowledge production in quadruple helix innovation systems. In: E. Carayannis, D. Campbell (eds.) Mode 3 Knowledge Production in Quadruple Helix Innovation Systems: 21st-Century Democracy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship for Development. SpringerBriefs in Business, New York, NY (2012)

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Harari, Y.: Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. Random House (2016). URL https://books.google.it/books?id=dWYyCwAAQBAJ

Hopcroft, J.E., Motwani, R., Ullman, J.D.: Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages, and Computation (3rd Edition). Addison-Wesley Longman Publishing Co., Inc., USA (2006)

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Medawar, P.: Advice To A Young Scientist. Alfred P. Sloan Foundation series. Basic Books (2008)

OECD: Frascati Manual. OECD Publishing (2015). https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264239012-en . URL https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/content/publication/9789264239012-en

REF2019/2: Panel criteria and working methods (2019). URL https://www.ref.ac.uk/media/1084/ref-2019_02-panel-criteria-and-working-methods.pdf

Senor, D., Singer, S.: Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle. McClelland & Stewart, Toronto, Canada (2011)

Stokes, D.E.: Pasteur’s Quadrant: Basic Science and Technological Innovation. Brookings Institution Press, Washington, D.C. (1997)

Thurston, R.H.: The growth of the steam engine. Popular Science Monthly 12 (1877)

Vardi, M.Y.: The long game of research. Commun. ACM 62 (9), 7–7 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1145/3352489 . URL http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/3352489

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Ghezzi, C. (2020). What Is Research and Why We Do It. In: Being a Researcher. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45157-8_1

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Science, health, and public trust.

September 8, 2021

Explaining How Research Works

We’ve heard “follow the science” a lot during the pandemic. But it seems science has taken us on a long and winding road filled with twists and turns, even changing directions at times. That’s led some people to feel they can’t trust science. But when what we know changes, it often means science is working.

Explaining the scientific process may be one way that science communicators can help maintain public trust in science. Placing research in the bigger context of its field and where it fits into the scientific process can help people better understand and interpret new findings as they emerge. A single study usually uncovers only a piece of a larger puzzle.

Questions about how the world works are often investigated on many different levels. For example, scientists can look at the different atoms in a molecule, cells in a tissue, or how different tissues or systems affect each other. Researchers often must choose one or a finite number of ways to investigate a question. It can take many different studies using different approaches to start piecing the whole picture together.

Sometimes it might seem like research results contradict each other. But often, studies are just looking at different aspects of the same problem. Researchers can also investigate a question using different techniques or timeframes. That may lead them to arrive at different conclusions from the same data.

Using the data available at the time of their study, scientists develop different explanations, or models. New information may mean that a novel model needs to be developed to account for it. The models that prevail are those that can withstand the test of time and incorporate new information. Science is a constantly evolving and self-correcting process.

Scientists gain more confidence about a model through the scientific process. They replicate each other’s work. They present at conferences. And papers undergo peer review, in which experts in the field review the work before it can be published in scientific journals. This helps ensure that the study is up to current scientific standards and maintains a level of integrity. Peer reviewers may find problems with the experiments or think different experiments are needed to justify the conclusions. They might even offer new ways to interpret the data.

It’s important for science communicators to consider which stage a study is at in the scientific process when deciding whether to cover it. Some studies are posted on preprint servers for other scientists to start weighing in on and haven’t yet been fully vetted. Results that haven't yet been subjected to scientific scrutiny should be reported on with care and context to avoid confusion or frustration from readers.

We’ve developed a one-page guide, "How Research Works: Understanding the Process of Science" to help communicators put the process of science into perspective. We hope it can serve as a useful resource to help explain why science changes—and why it’s important to expect that change. Please take a look and share your thoughts with us by sending an email to  [email protected].

Below are some additional resources:

• Discoveries in Basic Science: A Perfectly Imperfect Process
• When Clinical Research Is in the News
• What is Basic Science and Why is it Important?
• ​ What is a Research Organism?
• What Are Clinical Trials and Studies?
• Basic Research – Digital Media Kit
• Decoding Science: How Does Science Know What It Knows? (NAS)
• Can Science Help People Make Decisions ? (NAS)

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 113 great research paper topics.

General Education

One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great paper.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

• Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance .
• Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
• How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
• How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern American music?
• How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
• How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

Current Events

• What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?
• How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
• How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
• Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
• What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
• What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
• How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
• How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
• How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
• What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
• What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
• What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
• Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain) .
• Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
• Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
• Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
• Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools?
• Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
• How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method ?
• Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
• What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
• How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
• What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students' health?
• Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
• Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
• Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
• How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
• Should graduate students be able to form unions?

• What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
• How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
• Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
• Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
• How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
• How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
• Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?
• Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
• Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
• Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
• Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
• Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
• Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
• Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?
• Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
• How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
• How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
• What are the most effective ways to treat depression ?
• What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
• Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
• What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
• What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
• Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
• Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
• How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
• Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
• What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
• How does stress affect the body?
• Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
• What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
• Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
• How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
• What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
• What were the impacts of British rule in India ?
• Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
• What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
• What were the causes of the Civil War?
• How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
• Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
• What caused Hitler's rise to power?
• Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
• What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
• How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
• What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide ?

• Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
• Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
• How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
• How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past decades/centuries?
• What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/ agnosticism in the United States?
• What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
• How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?

Science/Environment

• How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
• How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
• Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased in the past few decades.
• Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
• How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
• How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
• What are the pros and cons of fracking?
• What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
• What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
• How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
• Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
• Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
• What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
• What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
• How are black holes created?
• Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
• How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
• Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
• How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
• Has social media made people more or less connected?
• What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence ?
• Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
• What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
• How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
• When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
• Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

How to Write a Great Research Paper

Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn good research paper topics into great papers.

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing

You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a strong paper.

What's Next?

Are you also learning about dynamic equilibrium in your science class? We break this sometimes tricky concept down so it's easy to understand in our complete guide to dynamic equilibrium .

Thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner? Nurse practitioners have one of the fastest growing careers in the country, and we have all the information you need to know about what to expect from nurse practitioner school .

Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa).

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Definition of research

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of research  (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

intransitive verb

• disquisition
• examination
• exploration
• inquisition
• investigation
• delve (into)
• inquire (into)
• investigate
• look (into)

Examples of research in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'research.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle French recerche , from recercher to go about seeking, from Old French recerchier , from re- + cerchier, sercher to search — more at search

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 3

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing research

• marketing research
• market research
• operations research
• oppo research

research and development

• research park
• translational research

Dictionary Entries Near research

Cite this entry.

“Research.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/research. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of research.

Kids Definition of research  (Entry 2 of 2)

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Britannica English: Translation of research for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about research

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Exploring the World of 250+ Interesting Topics to Research

Research is a fascinating journey into the unknown, a quest for answers, and a process of discovery. Whether you’re an academic, a student, or just a curious mind, finding the right and interesting topics to research is paramount. Not only does it determine the success of your research project, but it can also make the experience enjoyable. 

In this blog, we’ll delve into the art of selecting interesting topics to research, particularly catering to the average reader.

How to Select Interesting Topics to Research?

Table of Contents

Choosing a research topic is like setting sail on a ship. It’s a decision that will dictate your course, so you must make it wisely. Here are some effective strategies to help you pick a captivating topic:

• Personal Interests: Researching a topic you’re genuinely passionate about can turn the entire process into an exciting adventure. Your enthusiasm will show in your work and make it more engaging for the reader.
• Current Trends and Issues: Current events and trends are always intriguing because they’re relevant. They often raise questions and uncertainties, making them excellent research candidates. Think of topics like the impact of a global pandemic on mental health or the evolution of renewable energy technologies in the face of climate change.
• Problem-Solving Approach: Identify a problem that needs a solution or an unanswered question. Researching with the aim to solve a real-world issue can be highly motivating. For instance, you could explore strategies to reduce plastic waste in your community.
• Impact and Relevance: Consider the significance of your topic. Will it impact people’s lives or contribute to existing knowledge? Research with a purpose tends to be more engaging. Topics like gender equality, public health, or environmental conservation often fall into this category.
• Unexplored or Unique Topics: Researching less-explored or unique topics can be exciting. It gives you the opportunity to contribute something new to your field. Remember, research isn’t limited to established subjects; there’s room for exploration in every discipline.

250+ Interesting Topics to Research: Popular Categories

Research topics come in various flavors. Let’s explore some popular categories, which are often engaging for average readers:

Science and Technology

• Artificial intelligence in healthcare.
• Quantum computing advancements.
• Space exploration and colonization.
• Genetic editing and CRISPR technology.
• Cybersecurity in the digital age.
• Augmented and virtual reality applications.
• Climate change and mitigation strategies.
• Sustainable energy sources.
• Internet of Things (IoT) innovations.
• Nanotechnology breakthroughs.
• 3D printing in various industries.
• Biotechnology in medicine.
• Autonomous vehicles and self-driving technology.
• Robotics in everyday life.
• Clean water technology.
• Renewable energy storage solutions.
• Wearable technology and health tracking.
• Green architecture and sustainable design.
• Bioinformatics and genomics.
• Machine learning in data analysis.
• Space tourism development.
• Advancements in quantum mechanics.
• Biometrics and facial recognition.
• Aerospace engineering innovations.
• Ethical considerations in AI development.
• Artificial organs and 3D bioprinting.
• Holography and holographic displays.
• Sustainable agriculture practices.
• Climate modeling and prediction.
• Advancements in battery technology.
• Neurotechnology and brain-computer interfaces.
• Space-based solar power.
• Green transportation options.
• Materials science and superconductors.
• Telemedicine and remote healthcare.
• Cognitive computing and AI ethics.
• Renewable energy policy and regulation.
• The role of 5G in the digital landscape.
• Precision medicine and personalized treatment.
• Advancements in quantum cryptography.
• Drone technology and applications.
• Environmental sensors and monitoring.
• Synthetic biology and bioengineering.
• Smart cities and urban planning.
• Quantum teleportation research.
• AI-powered virtual assistants.
• Space-based mining and resource extraction.
• Advancements in neuroprosthetics.
• Sustainable transportation solutions.
• Blockchain technology and applications.

Social Issues

• Gender inequality in the workplace.
• Racial discrimination and systemic racism.
• Income inequality and wealth gap.
• Climate change and environmental degradation.
• Mental health stigma and access to care.
• Access to quality education.
• Immigration and border control policies.
• Gun control and Second Amendment rights.
• Opioid epidemic and substance abuse.
• Affordable healthcare and insurance.
• LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination.
• Cyberbullying and online harassment.
• Homelessness and affordable housing.
• Police brutality and reform.
• Human trafficking and modern slavery.
• Voter suppression and electoral integrity.
• Access to clean water and sanitation.
• Child labor and exploitation.
• Aging population and healthcare for the elderly.
• Indigenous rights and land disputes.
• Bullying in schools and online.
• Obesity and public health.
• Access to reproductive healthcare.
• Income tax policies and fairness.
• Mental health support for veterans.
• Child abuse and neglect.
• Animal rights and cruelty.
• The digital divide and internet access.
• Youth unemployment and opportunities.
• Religious freedom and tolerance.
• Disability rights and accessibility.
• Affordable childcare and parental leave.
• Food insecurity and hunger.
• Drug policy and legalization.
• Human rights violations in conflict zones.
• Aging infrastructure and public safety.
• Cybersecurity and data privacy.
• Human rights in authoritarian regimes.
• Environmental racism and pollution.
• Discrimination against people with disabilities.
• Income and education disparities in rural areas.
• Freedom of the press and media censorship.
• Bullying and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ youth.
• Access to clean energy and sustainable practices.
• Child marriage and forced unions.
• Mental health in the workplace.
• Domestic violence and abuse.
• Education funding and quality.
• Childhood obesity and healthy habits.
• Poverty and economic development.

History and Culture

• The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
• Ancient Egyptian Civilization
• The Renaissance Period in Europe
• The Industrial Revolution
• The French Revolution
• The American Civil War
• The Silk Road and Cultural Exchange
• The Mayan Civilization
• The Byzantine Empire
• The Age of Exploration
• World War I: Causes and Consequences
• The Harlem Renaissance
• The Aztec Empire
• Ancient Greece: Democracy and Philosophy
• The Vietnam War
• The Cold War
• The Inca Empire
• The Enlightenment Era
• The Crusades
• The Spanish Inquisition
• The African Slave Trade
• The Suffragette Movement
• The Black Death in Europe
• The Apollo Moon Landing
• The Roaring Twenties
• The Chinese Cultural Revolution
• The Salem Witch Trials
• The Great Wall of China
• The Abolitionist Movement
• The Golden Age of Islam
• The Mesoamerican Ballgame
• The Age of Vikings
• The Ottoman Empire
• The Cultural Impact of the Beatles
• The Space Race
• The Fall of the Berlin Wall
• The History of Hollywood Cinema
• The Renaissance Art and Artists
• The British Empire
• The Age of Samurai in Japan
• The Ancient Indus Valley Civilization
• The Russian Revolution
• The Age of Chivalry
• The History of Native American Tribes
• The Cultural Significance of Greek Mythology
• The Etruscans in Ancient Italy
• The History of African Kingdoms
• The Great Famine in Ireland
• The Age of Invention and Innovation
• The Cultural Impact of Shakespeare’s Works

Business and Economics

• Impact of E-commerce on Traditional Retail
• Global Supply Chain Challenges
• Green Business Practices and Sustainability
• Strategies for Small Business Growth
• Cryptocurrency and Its Economic Implications
• Consumer Behavior in the Digital Age
• The Gig Economy and Its Future
• Economic Consequences of Climate Change
• The Role of AI in Financial Services
• Trade Wars and Their Effects on Global Markets
• Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets
• Corporate Social Responsibility Trends
• The Economics of Healthcare
• The Impact of Inflation on Savings
• Startup Ecosystems and Innovation Hubs
• Financial Literacy and Education Initiatives
• Income Inequality and Economic Mobility
• The Sharing Economy and Collaborative Consumption
• International Trade Policies
• Behavioral Economics in Marketing
• Economic Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Fintech Innovations and Banking
• Real Estate Market Trends
• Public vs. Private Healthcare Systems
• Market Entry Strategies for New Businesses
• Global Economic Growth Prospects
• The Economics of Education
• Mergers and Acquisitions Trends
• Impact of Tax Reforms on Businesses
• Sustainable Investing and ESG Factors
• Monetary Policy and Interest Rates
• The Future of Work: Remote vs. Office
• Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
• The Economics of Artificial Intelligence
• Stock Market Volatility
• Supply and Demand Dynamics
• Entrepreneurial Finance and Fundraising
• Innovation and Technology Transfer
• Competition in the Digital Marketplace
• Economic Impacts of Aging Populations
• Economic Development in Developing Countries
• Regulatory Challenges in the Financial Sector
• The Economics of Healthcare Insurance
• Corporate Profitability and Market Share
• Energy Economics and Renewable Sources
• Economic Factors in Mergers and Acquisitions
• Financial Crises and Their Aftermath
• Economics of the Entertainment Industry
• Global Economic Trends Post-Pandemic
• Economic Consequences of Cybersecurity Threats
• The Impact of Online Learning
• Strategies for Inclusive Education
• Early Childhood Development
• The Role of Teachers in Student Motivation
• Educational Technology Trends
• Assessment Methods in Education
• The Importance of Multilingual Education
• Special Education Approaches
• Global Education Disparities
• Project-Based Learning
• Critical Thinking in the Classroom
• Educational Leadership
• Homeschooling vs. Traditional Education
• Education and Social Inequality
• Student Mental Health Support
• The Benefits of Student Extracurricular Activities
• The Montessori Approach
• STEM Education
• Educational Policy Reforms
• Education for Sustainable Development
• Educational Psychology
• Learning Disabilities
• Adult Education Programs
• The Role of Arts in Education
• The Flipped Classroom Model
• Educational Gamification
• School Bullying Prevention
• Inclusive Curriculum Design
• The Future of College Admissions
• Early Literacy Development
• Education and Gender Equity
• Teacher Training and Professional Development
• Homeschooling Challenges
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Education for Global Citizenship
• Virtual Reality in Education
• Outdoor and Environmental Education
• Education for Sustainable Agriculture
• Music Education Benefits
• Education and Technological Divide
• Cultural Competence in Education
• Education and Social Emotional Learning
• Personalized Learning
• Educational Equity
• Restorative Justice in Schools
• Study Abroad Programs
• Education for Digital Citizenship
• The Role of Parents in Education
• Vocational Education and Training
• The History of Education Movements

Techniques for Researching Interesting Topics

Once you’ve chosen the interesting topics to research, you’ll need effective techniques to delve deeper into it:

• Online Databases and Journals: Online academic databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, or PubMed are invaluable resources. They provide access to a vast pool of academic research papers.
• Interviews and Surveys: If your topic involves human perspectives, conducting interviews or surveys can offer firsthand insights. Tools like Jotform Survey Maker , SurveyMonkey or Zoom can be helpful.
• Libraries and Archives: Traditional libraries still hold a treasure trove of information. Whether you visit in person or explore digital archives, libraries can provide a wealth of resources.
• Online Forums and Social Media: Online communities and forums can be excellent sources of information, particularly for trending topics. Sites like Reddit and Quora can connect you with experts and enthusiasts.
• Academic and Expert Sources: Seek out academic articles, books, and experts in your field. Don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals who may be willing to share their expertise.

How to Make Your Research Engaging?

Once you’ve conducted your research, it’s essential to present it in a way that captures the interest of your average reader:

1. Clear and Accessible Language

Avoid jargon and complex terminology. Use simple and straightforward language to ensure your research is accessible to a wide audience.

2. Storytelling and Anecdotes

Weave stories and anecdotes into your research to make it relatable and engaging. Personal narratives and real-life examples can resonate with readers.

3. Visual Aids (Images, Infographics)

Incorporate visuals like images, charts, and infographics to make your research visually appealing and easier to understand.

4. Real-Life Examples and Case Studies

Use real-life examples and case studies to illustrate the practical applications of your research findings. This makes the information tangible and relevant.

5. Relatable Examples from Popular Culture

Relate your research to pop culture, current events, or everyday experiences. This helps readers connect with the material on a personal level.

Examples of Interesting Topics to Research

To provide some inspiration, let’s explore a few intriguing research topics:

The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Examine the relationship between social media use and mental health, including topics like social comparison, cyberbullying, and the benefits of online support networks.

The Future of Renewable Energy

Research the latest advancements in renewable energy technologies, such as solar power, wind energy, and the feasibility of a global transition to sustainable energy sources.

The History of Women’s Suffrage

Delve into the historical struggles and milestones of the women’s suffrage movement, both in the United States and around the world.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Investigate the applications of AI in healthcare, from diagnosis algorithms to patient data analysis and the ethical implications of AI in medical practice.

Strategies for Sustainable Business Practices

Examine business sustainability practices , exploring how companies can balance profit and environmental responsibility in an increasingly eco-conscious world.

Challenges you Might Face in Research

While you are looking for interesting topics to research, it’s important to be aware of the challenges:

• Avoiding Bias and Misinformation: Ensure your research is unbiased and based on credible sources. Critical thinking is key to avoiding misinformation.
• Ethical Considerations: Research involving humans or animals should follow ethical guidelines. Always prioritize ethical research practices.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Data collection can be time-consuming and challenging. Make sure to use appropriate data collection methods and robust analysis techniques.
• Staying Updated with Latest Research: Research is an ongoing process. Stay up-to-date with the latest research in your field to ensure the relevance and accuracy of your work.

Research is a gateway to knowledge, innovation, and solutions. Choosing interesting topics to research is the first step in this exciting journey. Whether you’re exploring the depths of science, the intricacies of culture, or the dynamics of business, there’s a captivating research topic waiting for you. 

So, start your exploration, share your discoveries, and keep the flame of curiosity alive. The world is waiting to learn from your research.

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"research about" vs "research on"

Last Updated: March 22, 2024

research about

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

• The documentary offers new research about the life of dolphins.
• The article presents research about the impact of technology on society.
• The report includes research about the future of artificial intelligence.
• The study provides important research about climate change.
• The seminar focused on research about mental health issues.

Alternatives:

• study about
• investigation about
• analysis about
• examination about
• exploration about

research on

• She is doing research on the impact of social media on teenagers.
• The professor's research on renewable energy sources is groundbreaking.
• Their research on the history of the city provided valuable insights.
• The team's research on consumer behavior led to important discoveries.
• The study focused on research on the benefits of exercise.
• investigation on
• analysis on
• examination on
• exploration on

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to do research on, or do research about a topic

• Thread starter kkpanka
• Start date Apr 1, 2015
• Apr 1, 2015

Dear all! Doing research about a topic doesn't sound well to me, I would rather use the preposition "on" but I'm not sure. Could you help me, which one is the correct form? Thanks Anna  

Senior Member

The usual way is to say, 'Researching a topic'. You can say 'I am doing research on a topic - it's about wildlife in Africa.  

Thank you for your quick reply, and sorry, I didn't post the sentence I'm asking about: So I'm still not sure which one is correct: We started research about the attitudes of infertile patients toward medical and psychological care. Or: We started researching the attitudes of infertile patients toward medical and psychological care. Thanks agian  

I would choose the second sentence.  

Thank you for your help.  

The HPV vaccine prevents head and neck cancers in men, study suggests

The HPV vaccine is linked to a drastic reduction in head and neck cancers in adolescent boys and men, new research finds. 

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted infection responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer . But the virus is also linked to a number of other cancers , including penile, anal and vaginal cancers. 

It also accounts for the majority — up to 70% — of head and neck cancers , which affect the throat and mouth. Men are about twice as likely to develop these cancers than women, according to the National Cancer Institute.

The HPV vaccine, initially approved for adolescent girls, protects against strains of the virus linked to cervical cancer and has been found to significantly reduce rates of the cancer . But there’s growing evidence that the vaccine also protects against other HPV-related cancers.

“We want males to be thinking about HPV vaccination not just as something that protects female patients, but also male patients,” said Jefferson DeKloe, a research fellow in the department of otolaryngology at Thomas Jefferson University, who specializes in head and neck surgery and who co-authored the research.

The findings will be presented next week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference and have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. 

Prior research showed a downward trend in oral infections with HPV strains known to cause cancer. That was a promising sign, said Dr. Glenn J. Hanna, a medical oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Center for Head and Neck Oncology, who was not involved in the new research.

“If we can lower the infection rate, we would hope that we would see what we are seeing now, a decline in cancer rates,” Hanna said. “This is an important evolution of the story.” 

The new study analyzed health records from a national database that included nearly 3.5 million people in the United States ages 9 to 39 who had received any vaccination — HPV or otherwise — from 2010 through 2023. About 1.5 million were male, half of whom had been vaccinated against cancer-causing strains of HPV. Nearly 1 million were females who had been vaccinated against HPV. 

The researchers compared the rates of HPV-linked cancers — including head and neck, anal, penile, and cervical cancers — in people who had received the HPV vaccine to those who hadn’t. They found being vaccinated reduced the overall risk of HPV-related cancers in males by 54%, a decrease driven primarily by a drop in head and neck cancers. Females were about 30% less likely to develop any type of HPV-related cancer, including cervical cancer. 

Most cases of head and neck cancer are in people older than 50. Since the U.S. is only about a decade into widespread HPV vaccination in both males and females, the vaccinated generation hasn’t reached this age yet. HPV typically infects younger people and takes decades for chronic infection to lead to cancer.

“These are the early results of a larger phenomenon we are going to watch play out over the next 20 or 30 years,” DeKloe said, noting that experts don’t expect to see the full effect HPV vaccination has on cancer rates until the largely vaccinated generation is older. 

A second study, which will also be presented at the ASCO conference next week and is not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal, found that HPV vaccination rates have been on the rise in the U.S. from 2011 through early 2020, including in all racial and ethnic groups.

HPV vaccination wasn’t recommended for males until 2011, five years after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the vaccine series for girls. The HPV vaccine is now recommended for all adolescents starting as young as age 9, but can also be given to adults up to age 45. 

In the new study, which included children and young adults ages 9 to 26, the increase was largely driven by growing HPV vaccine uptake among males. Although overall HPV vaccination rates among males still lag behind females — about 36% compared to about 50% of those in the 9 to 26 age group — these rates are accelerating. 

“The gap is narrowing between males and females and eventually I would hope that they would meet up,” said Dr. Danh Nguyen, a resident physician at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, who led the research. 

Although vaccination efforts have focused on adolescents, adults should also consider getting vaccinated if they weren’t when they were younger, said Dr. Nancy Lee, service chief of head and neck radiation oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, who was not involved with either study. 

“If you are in your 20s or 30s, you can still get the vaccination. Even if you are 45, there is no reason you cannot get vaccinated because we have a population that lives a long time,” Lee said. 

Nguyen said it’s important that conversations about HPV vaccination continue to focus on the prevention of all cancers, including head and neck cancers that are more prevalent in men, rather than solely on cervical cancer prevention.

Hanna said stigma around HPV being a sexually transmitted infection has made discussions around vaccinating adolescents a sticky subject in the past, but that clear data showing the impact vaccination rates have on HPV-related cancers is shifting the narrative. 

“HPV vaccination is cancer prevention,” Hanna said. “The bottom line is that we are preventing cancers broadly by getting people vaccinated younger.”

Kaitlin Sullivan is a contributor for NBCNews.com who has worked with NBC News Investigations. She reports on health, science and the environment and is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at City University of New York.

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Over 180 world leaders maintain social media accounts, and some of them issue policy warnings to rivals and the public on these platforms rather than relying on traditional government statements. How seriously do people take such social media postings?

A new study suggests the general public and policymakers alike take leaders’ social media posts just as seriously as they take formal government statements. The research, by MIT political scientists, deploys novel surveys of both the public and experienced foreign policy specialists.

“What we find, which is really surprising, across both expert audiences and public audiences, is that tweets are not necessarily seen as this form of cheap talk,” says Erik Lin-Greenberg, an MIT faculty member and co-author of a new paper detailing the results. “They’re viewed as the same type of signal as that being offered through more formal and traditional communications.”

The findings suggest that people have become so fully acclimatized to social media that they regard the medium as a vehicle for messages that have just as much credibility as those generated through the old-school method, in which official statements are released in formal language on official government documents.

“One clue that sheds some light on our unexpected findings is that a slight majority of our survey respondents who read a tweet identified what they read as a White House press release,” says Benjamin Norwood Harris, an MIT doctoral candidate and co-author of the paper. “Respondents really seemed to believe that tweets were just another way presidents communicate in their official capacity.”

The paper, “ Cheap Tweets?: Crisis Signaling in the Age of Twitter ,” appears in the June issue of International Studies Quarterly . Greenberg is the Leo Marx Career Development Assistant Professor of the History and Culture of Science and Technology at MIT; Harris is a PhD candidate in MIT’s Department of Political Science who specializes in security studies and international relations.

The study fits into a larger body of political science research in the area of “crisis signaling” — the way words and actions in international relations are interpreted, which is often critical to diplomacy. However, when it comes to the use of social media, “There’s been very little research that looks at the credibility of public signals,” Lin-Greenberg notes.

The research consisted of a multilayered set of surveys, conducted in 2021. Using the survey platform Lucid, the scholars surveyed 977 members of the general public about a hypothetical confrontation between the U.S. and Iran, using facsimiles of messages on Twitter (now known as X) and formal White House statements that might have been sent by U.S. President Joe Biden during such a scenario. Separately, the scholars also recruited foreign policy experts from the U.S., India, and Singapore, which all have active English-language think tank spheres, to take the same survey.

Asked to rate the credibility of tweets and official statements on a five-point scale, the public rated official press releases at 3.30 and tweets at 3.22. The policy experts gave a 3.10 rating to the official statement, and a 3.11 rating to the tweets.

“No matter how we cut the data, we just don’t see much difference in how respondents rated Tweets versus official statements,” Harris says. “Even when we vary the formality of the tweet language — including things like all caps and lots of exclamation points — we don’t find an effect.”

A follow-up layer of the survey then asked respondents about a related hypothetical conflict between the U.S. and Iran in 2026, with facsimile tweets and White House statements attributed to both Biden and former president Donald Trump, given that either could be president then. The aim was to see if different leaders influenced perceptions of the two forms of statements.

But in this instance, the public and policy experts regarded tweets and official statements virtually equally seriously. Trump’s statements were given slightly more credibility overall, but with a strong partisan divide: Liberals took Biden’s statements to have more credibility, and conservatives took Trump’s statements to have more credibility.

Overall, the study suggests that many people are simply unaffected by the medium in which a global leader might choose to issue a warning to leaders of other nations. In the surveys, participants were given the opportunity to describe qualitatively what shaped their responses; only about 2 percent cited the medium as an issue.

As Harris notes, the survey data also indicate that slightly more than 51 percent of respondents believed a tweet constituted an officially released government statement. Additionally, about 73 percent of respondents thought tweets were generated in the same way as statements that have the official imprint of a national government.

“People who see a tweet don’t really differentiate it in their minds. They don’t think the tweet is not an official statement,” Lin-Greenberg says. “About three-quarters of the population think it’s coordinated, whether it’s a tweet or an official statement.”

In the paper, the scholars suggest there is considerable room for follow-up research in this area. Among other things, future studies might compare the effect of social media statements to other types of communication, such as speeches. Scholars might also study other social media platforms or broaden the set of countries being studied. Such research, Lin-Greenberg and Harris conclude in the paper, “will further enrich our understanding of the interactions between emerging technology and international politics.”

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Americans have mixed views about how the news media cover Biden’s, Trump’s ages

At age 81, Joe Biden is already the oldest president in American history . But former President Donald Trump, who will turn 78 in June, will become the oldest person ever elected president – surpassing Biden – if he wins back the White House this year.

It’s no surprise, then, that the ages of the candidates have been a major topic of conversation in news coverage of the 2024 presidential election. A new Pew Research Center survey finds that Americans have mixed feelings about the way news organizations are handling the issue for each candidate, with views sharply divided by political party.

To examine Americans’ perceptions of news coverage of the 2024 U.S. presidential candidates, Pew Research Center surveyed 8,709 U.S. adults from April 8 to April 14, 2024.

Everyone who completed the survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This way nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the  ATP’s methodology .

Here are the  questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and the survey  methodology .

Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. This is the latest analysis in Pew Research Center’s ongoing investigation of the state of news, information and journalism in the digital age, a research program funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, with generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Overall, similar shares of U.S. adults believe news organizations are giving too much attention (32%) or too little attention (29%) to Biden’s age. An additional 38% think the media cover Biden’s age about the right amount.

By comparison, Americans are less likely to say the news media are overemphasizing Trump’s age (19%) and more likely to think that news organizations give it about the right amount of attention (49%).

The same survey found that a larger share of American voters express confidence that Trump has the physical and mental fitness needed to be president than say the same about Biden.

Americans’ opinions on news coverage are split along party lines. Each party’s supporters tend to say that the opposing candidate’s age is getting too little attention.

Nearly half of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (46%) say news organizations are giving Trump’s age too little attention, compared with just 14% of Republicans and GOP leaners.

The numbers are virtually flipped when it comes to Biden: 48% of Republicans say Biden’s age is getting too little attention, while only 12% of Democrats say the same. 

When it comes to coverage of their own party’s candidate, patterns within each party differ. While 48% of Democrats say that Biden’s age is getting too much attention, far fewer Republicans (23%) hold this view about Trump. Instead, most Republicans (63%) say Trump’s age is getting about the right amount of attention.

Any differences between older and younger Americans are much smaller than the gaps between partisans. Among Americans ages 65 and older, for example, 34% say news organizations give Biden’s age too little attention. That compares with 29% of those ages 50 to 64, 27% of those ages 30 to 49 and 26% of adults under 30.

Note: Here are the questions used for this analysis , along with responses, and the survey methodology . Senior Researcher Kirsten Eddy and Research Assistant Emily Tomasik contributed to this analysis.

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Katerina Eva Matsa is a director of news and information research at Pew Research Center .

Michael Lipka is an associate director focusing on news and information research at Pew Research Center .

Use of anonymous sources uncommon in early Biden coverage, least likely in outlets with right-leaning audiences

Covid-19 was pervasive in the media’s early coverage of the biden administration, trump mentioned in about half of biden stories during early weeks in office, but less so over time, immigration was a top focus of early biden coverage, especially among outlets with right-leaning audiences, at 100 day mark: coverage of biden has been slightly more negative than positive, varied greatly by outlet type, most popular.

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Immigrant entrepreneurs bring jobs and innovation, new research shows.

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A photo illustration of Databricks, an innovative billion-dollar company with multiple immigrant ... [+] founders. New research finds immigrants play a vital in producing jobs, innovation and new businesses in the United States. (Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

New research finds immigrants play a vital role in producing jobs, innovation and new businesses in the United States. The findings should interest policymakers and Americans who value expanded employment opportunities, particularly in cutting-edge fields. The research highlights the advantages of immigration overlooked in the current political battles over U.S. border policies.

Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Immigrant entrepreneurs receive little media attention, even though foreign-born business founders influence the nation’s economy. “Immigrants contribute disproportionately to entrepreneurship in many countries, accounting for a quarter of new employer businesses in the U.S.,” according to new research by economists William R. Kerr (Harvard Business School), Saheel A. Chodavadia (University of Michigan), Sari Pekkala Kerr (Wellesley College) and Louis J. Maiden (Harvard Business School). The National Bureau of Economic Research published the study.

The economists detail the impact of immigrant entrepreneurs. “Immigrants are overrepresented as founders of innovative firms and in the high-tech industry,” they write. “In 2022, the four most valuable private, venture-backed U.S. companies (SpaceX, Stripe, Instacart, Databricks) had immigrant founders, along with three of the ten most valuable public companies globally (Alphabet, Nvidia, Tesla).”

A National Foundation for American Policy study found 55% of America’s startup companies valued at $1 billion or more had at least one immigrant founder. Nearly two-thirds (64%) were founded or cofounded by immigrants or the children of immigrants. Approximately one-quarter of the billion-dollar companies in the U.S. had an immigrant founder who came to America as an international student.

An NFAP report concluded immigrants also founded or cofounded nearly two-thirds (65% or 28 of 43) of the top AI companies in the United States. The research examined 43 U.S. companies on the Forbes AI 50, a list of the top startup companies “developing the most promising business applications of artificial intelligence—companies with compelling visions and the resources and technical wherewithal to achieve them.” (I authored both studies.) The economists cited the NFAP studies in their paper in a comparative analysis.

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“Most of the growth of U.S. immigrant entrepreneurship has come through a widespread strengthening of immigrant entrepreneurship across all states rather than a particular boom within a small number of them,” according to the economists.

Immigrant entrepreneurs are innovative. Often innovations become realized by starting a business that allows an entrepreneur to hone and develop a product or service to consumer tastes. The reasons for innovation can be unusual.

When Eric Yuan was a university student in China, he endured 10-hour train rides to visit his girlfriend. That experience encouraged him to envision developing a video conferencing application to communicate with the young woman who would later become his wife. In the United States, he turned the idea into Zoom Video, which is valued today at $19 billion and has over 7,000 employees .

Because U.S. officials denied Yuan a visa, he did not succeed in coming to America until his ninth try. Under U.S. immigration law, there is no startup visa. As a result, before starting a business, most immigrant entrepreneurs in America first obtain permanent residence through family, employment or refugee status.

Kerr, Chodavadia, Kerr and Maiden made a significant finding: A business is “more likely to have a patent and more patents per employee if the owner is an immigrant.” A study by Ufuk Akcigit and Nathan Goldschlag concluded that the immigrant share of inventors in the United States rose from 24% in 2000 to 35% in 2016.

“Firms founded by immigrants are 3.4% to 4.5% more likely to produce new technologies and less likely to use other existing technologies,” according to Kerr, Chodavadia, Kerr and Maiden. “These findings suggest that, even beyond education and field of study, immigrant entrepreneurs tend to be more strongly linked to innovation.”

“The innovativeness of immigrant entrepreneurs, especially in the high-tech sector, suggest links to economic growth, labor adjustment, and agglomeration effects in tech clusters,” according to the economists.

Some aspects of immigrant entrepreneurs remain a mystery. “There is much more to learn about immigrant entrepreneurship,” according to the study. “To begin, we still have a remarkably poor understanding of why immigrants are so entrepreneurial.”

Harvard Business School Professor William Kerr said the traits that lead an individual to immigrate, such as industriousness and a desire for more, have parallels with becoming an entrepreneur.

He agrees that the U.S. economy would benefit if U.S. laws made it easier for entrepreneurs and international students to come to and stay in America. “Yes, full stop,” said Kerr. “Immigrant entrepreneurs are a source of jobs for the U.S. economy and enable a dynamic economy. This is especially true in high-tech and growth-oriented sectors where the U.S. needs to stay at the frontier. It’s what made our nation successful in the past and is necessary for the future.”

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Meaning of research in English

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• He has dedicated his life to scientific research.
• He emphasized that all the people taking part in the research were volunteers .
• The state of Michigan has endowed three institutes to do research for industry .
• I'd like to see the research that these recommendations are founded on.
• It took months of painstaking research to write the book .
• absorptive capacity
• dream something up
• modularization
• nanotechnology
• non-imitative
• operational research
• think outside the box idiom
• think something up
• uninventive
• study What do you plan on studying at university?
• major US She majored in philosophy at Harvard.
• cram She's cramming for her history exam.
• revise UK I'm revising for tomorrow's test.
• review US We're going to review for the test tomorrow night.
• research Scientists are researching possible new treatments for cancer.
• The amount of time and money being spent on researching this disease is pitiful .
• We are researching the reproduction of elephants .
• She researched a wide variety of jobs before deciding on law .
• He researches heart disease .
• The internet has reduced the amount of time it takes to research these subjects .
• adjudication
• interpretable
• interpretive
• interpretively
• investigate
• reinvestigate
• reinvestigation
• risk assessment
• run over/through something
• run through something

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European-Japanese climate research satellite launched from California aboard SpaceX rocket

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VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) — A European-Japanese climate research satellite designed to study Earth’s temperature balance was launched into orbit from California on Tuesday.

The EarthCARE satellite lifted off from coastal Vandenberg Space Force Base atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 3:20 p.m. The satellite was successfully deployed about 10 minutes later, SpaceX said on the launch webcast.

The name EarthCARE is short for Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer.

The satellite is equipped with four instruments to study the role of clouds and aerosols — particles suspended in the atmosphere — in reflecting solar radiation back into space and trapping infrared radiation emitted from Earth’s surface.

The research is a cooperative project between the European Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

After stage separation, the reusable Falcon 9 first stage booster landed back at Vandenberg, completing its seventh flight.

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Fate of Retired Research Chimps Still in Limbo

The National Institutes of Health, which owns the chimps at the Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico, has no plans to move the animals to sanctuary, despite a ruling from a federal judge.

By Emily Anthes

It has been more than two decades since chimpanzee research came to a halt at the Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico. And yet, some two dozen chimps still live there, despite a federal law that requires such retired research chimps to be moved to sanctuary.

In 2022, a judge ruled that the National Institutes of Health, which owns the chimps, was violating the law by refusing to move the animals to a wooded sanctuary in Louisiana. Earlier this year, the agency dropped its appeal of the ruling.

But the N.I.H. says it has no immediate plans to move the animals, citing concerns about the animals’ health — and a legal footnote that may exempt the agency from moving chimps that are “moribund,” a term that typically means near death.

As of last October, 28 chimps remained at Alamogordo, all of whom were moribund, the N.I.H. said in an email. It defined moribund as suffering from “life-threatening, systemic disease that poses a constant threat and could result in abrupt death.”

Some of the animals had previously been diagnosed with advanced cardiovascular disease, which is common in older chimps.

The N.I.H.’s refusal to transfer the chimps has drawn criticism from lawmakers, veterinarians and animal rights advocates.

The Humane Society of the United States, which sued the N.I.H. over its unwillingness to move the chimps, noted that the agency had been describing the chimps as “moribund” for years, making it unlikely that the animals were truly on the brink of death.

“They really need to stop making excuses,” said Kathleen Conlee, vice president of animal research issues at the Humane Society. “A lot of chimpanzees have moved to sanctuary with health conditions and thrived in their new environment.”

Independent veterinary experts, who had not examined the Alamogordo chimps personally, also wondered how animals could be moribund for years.

“‘Moribund’ in human or veterinary medicine is generally understood to mean death is imminent,” said Dr. Felicia Nutter, a wildlife veterinarian at Tufts University. “So any determination that chimps have been moribund for three years — there’s something not right with that.”

Transportation does pose risks, said Dr. Kathryn Gamble, the director of veterinary medicine at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. But even significant cardiac disease does not make such moves impossible, she said.

“We have humans that have anything from mild to severe cardiac disease — many of them still travel,” Dr. Gamble said. And the risks of transport should be weighed against the potential benefits that might come from the change in environment, she said.

The Chimpanzee Health Improvement Maintenance Protection, or CHIMP, Act, which Congress passed in 2000, established a national chimpanzee sanctuary system and stipulated that federally owned chimps that were not needed for research be sent to sanctuary. Chimp Haven, a 200-acre sanctuary in Louisiana, serves as the designated retirement home.

In 2015, the N.I.H. announced that it would no longer support biomedical research on chimpanzees, and many Alamogordo chimps have since moved to Chimp Haven. But in 2019, the N.I.H. said that a veterinary panel had concluded that the 44 chimps remaining at Alamogordo were too sick to leave .

“The physiological and psychological stressors associated with transportation, quarantine, change in social structure and change in human care provider could trigger a fatal cardiac event,” the panel wrote in one case summary. The panel also expressed concern that chimps with disabilities, including cataracts and a leg amputation, might not integrate safely into new social groups and settings.

The Humane Society and other animal rights groups sued over the decision, accusing the N.I.H. of violating the CHIMP Act. In December 2022, a federal judge ruled in their favor, but added, in a footnote, “The parties appear to agree that N.I.H. is not obligated to transfer a ‘moribund’ chimpanzee to sanctuary.”

The Santa Fe New Mexican reported last month that the N.I.H. had no immediate plans to transfer the chimps.

“N.I.H. plans to conduct an annual evaluation of the chimpanzees at Alamogordo to determine if they are moribund, or if they are no longer moribund and can be safely transported to Chimp Haven,” the agency said in an email.

A plan for annual evaluations suggested that the chimps were not on the brink of death, said Rana Smith, the president of Chimp Haven.

Ms. Smith also objected to the agency’s interpretation of the law, noting that the CHIMP Act does not use the word “moribund” or make exceptions for chronically ill chimps. “We have found that chimpanzees are an incredibly resilient species and thrive in the sanctuary environment,” she said.

Several U.S. lawmakers have been urging the N.I.H. to transfer the remaining Alamogordo chimps for years. “I have been advocating for a humane and permanent solution for these chimpanzees, so they can live out the rest of their lives in a non-laboratory sanctuary environment,” Senator Martin Heinrich, Democrat of New Mexico, said in an emailed statement.

The agency’s refusal to move those chimps “stands in direct violation of federal law,” he added. “I am urging them to reconsider.”

Emily Anthes is a science reporter, writing primarily about animal health and science. She also covered the coronavirus pandemic. More about Emily Anthes

Explore the Animal Kingdom

A selection of quirky, intriguing and surprising discoveries about animal life..

The Lord Howe Island stick insect vanished from its home, but an effort at zoos in San Diego and Melbourne highlights the possibilities and challenges  of conserving invertebrate animals.

A genetic analysis of the German cockroach explained its rise in southern Asia millenniums ago, and how it eventually turned up in your kitchen .

Scientists say they have found an “alphabet” in the songs of sperm whales , raising the possibility that the animals are communicating in a complex language.

Indigenous rangers in Australia’s Western Desert got a rare close-up with the northern marsupial mole , which is tiny, light-colored and blind, and almost never comes to the surface.

For the first time, scientists observed a primate in the wild treating a wound  with a plant that has medicinal properties.

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Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Corpus Christi celebrates 50 years serving Coastal Bend

Anniversary event highlights past, present, future regional impacts.

May 27, 2024 - by Paul Schattenberg

From cotton boll weevil eradication to aquaculture genomics to advancing digital agriculture and artificial intelligence, the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi has spent the past 50 years working to benefit area agricultural producers and agribusinesses.

The center celebrated its 50th anniversary and significant contributions to agricultural research and extension with a commemorative event May 23.

Dozens of guests attended a day of field tours and demonstrations relating to the center’s leading-edge research in soil health, field crop entomology, digital agriculture, agronomy, plant diseases and cotton genetics.

“This occasion symbolizes a half-century of dedicated service to the community, embodying our commitment to educating and empowering individuals on matters of agriculture and health,” said Juan Landivar, Ph.D., center director. “It has been our privilege to serve the people of the Coastal Bend area for the past 50 years, and we look forward to serving for many more years to come.” 

About the center

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi is led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research , the state’s premier agency in agriculture, natural resources and life sciences research. The center opened in 1974, with the initial facilities built on 50 acres donated by scientist Ruth Weil, Ph.D., in memory of her husband, Sylvan Weil.

Today, the center serves one of the most diverse regional economies in Texas with AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service faculty members providing leading-edge research and technology as well as services in agriculture, natural resources and life sciences. It also oversees and collaborates with the Flour Bluff Research Station and Beeville Research Station .

Texas A&M AgriLife programs at the center benefit area agricultural producers and agribusiness through:

• Irrigated production systems for cotton, corn and grain sorghum as well as specialty field crops such as soybean, sunflower, sesame and safflower.
• Digital agriculture and artificial intelligence.
• Beef cattle adaptation and grazing traits for subtropical environments.
• Genomics-based breeding for aquaculture of eastern oysters in Texas.
• Insect and disease management.
• Natural resource conservation.
• Platforms for in-season crop management and yield forecasting.
• Commercial oyster production systems.
• Farm and ranch runoff challenges and marine life impacts.

Outreach efforts from farm to fork to youth development

AgriLife Extension has made significant contributions to the eradication of the cotton boll weevil and helping producers adopt best management practices and production methods based on the science and research from the center, said Donnie Montemayor, AgriLife Extension district administrator.

AgriLife Extension county agents and specialists helped introduce producers to new cotton varieties to improve the quality and profitability of the crop. They also ensured new agricultural pest management techniques to support the highly productive sorghum crop have been adopted in the area through many years of result demonstration work.

“Support of the AgriLife Extension county network over the past 50 years significantly moved the land-grant mission forward, maintaining non-biased research and disseminating outreach to our agricultural community,” he said. “The researchers and specialists worked with local industry stakeholders and county agents to address the issues targeted by the center’s establishment.”

AgriLife Extension specialists also supported a “total ranch management approach” for managing beef, forage and wildlife to better utilize rancher resources and increase profitability, he said.

AgriLife Extension efforts at the center were also focused on  supporting regional youth development and community health efforts, he said.

“The 4-H and youth development program in District 11 continues to thrive and can be attributed to the many years of agent and specialist support in addition to the volunteer leadership,” Montemayor said. “Traditional livestock and food and nutrition projects along with the shooting sports program are popular project areas as is the 4-H National Food Challenge.”

The Texas A&M AgriLife Healthy South Texas initiative was also established in this region, which added the agency’s first health agent in the state. Healthy South Texas provides significant outreach to a non-traditional audience promoting information on a preventive approach to health and wellness, saving area residents in health costs through its outreach.

Recognizing leaders in center research 

Landivar said the mission of the center has been to conduct research that sustains and enhances the environment, promotes the formation of new leaders, and contributes to economic growth of the Coastal Bend region of Texas and beyond. The work of the dedicated scientists who contributed to past and present agricultural improvements in the area include:

• Introduction and evaluation of new crop species to the region, along with extensive cultivar evaluations of traditional crops such as cotton and sorghum.
• Research on host plant resistance of crops and management of key pests to area crops. 
• Implementation of the Boll Weevil Eradication Program and its subsequent management. 
• Research to demonstrate the effectiveness of transgenic cottons for the control of pests.
• Conservation tillage, including research on crop rotation and soil fertility.
• Evaluation of sorghum genotypes for commercial evaluation and disease resistance.

“The Boll Weevil Eradication Program and introduction of transgenic cottons are considered fundamental technologies responsible for maintaining the profitability of the U.S. cotton industry,” Landivar said.

Texas A&M AgriLife recognized the program with a special award for impact in January 2024 .

During the event, Landivar acknowledged the contributions of all administrative and support staff as well as former center director Robert “Bobby” Edelmann, Ph.D., for transitioning the center from what was primarily a cultivar testing unit into its current status as a modern, high-technology research center.

“Bobby led programs demonstrating that cropping systems conserve our natural resources and are profitable for the producer,” Landivar said. “More importantly, he demonstrated cropping systems used in the Coastal Bend area are environmentally sound and do not contaminate our waterways.”

Addressing the future of agriculture in the Coastal Bend 

Future agricultural production systems face challenges ranging from climate variability and fewer water resources to increased production costs and declines in the agricultural workforce.

Using advanced technology such as digital twin-based platforms, the center creates digital versions of physical objects to predict how they respond to conditions. Advancing these systems could contribute significantly to the profits of South Texas and statewide producers along with the broader Texas industry including ginners, seed, chemical, equipment and other support service companies, and rural Texas communities.

For the beef cattle industry, researchers at the center are working toward genetic selection advances to reduce production costs. Researchers are developing new genetically focused fitness traits and improvement programs for cow/calf sustainability that will generate an approximate 10% cost reduction per cow. This advancement represents a potential $1 billion savings to cattle producers in Texas and surrounding states.

The center is also home to other advancements that will improve sustainability for aquaculture producers.

In 2019, Texas passed a law permitting commercial aquaculture of oysters in state waters and allowing for the establishment of oyster farms beginning in 2021. The center has been involved in efforts to help provide enough robust seed oysters that grow quickly to market size to increase production and profitability for the industry.

Center aquaculture researchers estimate they can produce a 10%-15% per oyster generation rate of improvement through selective breeding advances. These efforts could help accelerate industry expansion through increased annual production, more employment opportunities and the opportunity for Texas aquaculture firms to enter larger markets.

“For five decades, our efforts at the center have focused on the needs of Coastal Bend producers and communities,” Landivar said. “We’ve helped agricultural operations and residents navigate life and business challenges through innovation, science-based information and forward-thinking approaches. We look forward to continuing to serve those needs and to help create solutions for the Coastal Bend in the coming years and decades.”

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