Characterization of Research/Projects Senior Project 04/05
Research May be Applied or Basic The purpose of applied research/projects are to solve an immediate, practical problem. The purpose of applied research/projects are to solve an immediate, practical problem. Basic Research/Projects (Pure) add to an existing body of knowledge; doesn't necessarily provide results of immediate, practical use. Basic Research/Projects (Pure) add to an existing body of knowledge; doesn't necessarily provide results of immediate, practical use.
Applied Research/Projects Raising money for an orphanage Raising money for an orphanage Finding a cure for cancer Finding a cure for cancer Fundraising and organizing a prom Fundraising and organizing a prom Building a house for a homeless family Building a house for a homeless family
Basic Research/Project Discovering which method of learning to read is more effective Discovering which method of learning to read is more effective Learning how to train horses Learning how to train horses Writing a book Writing a book Evaluating the safety of SUVS Evaluating the safety of SUVS Become an expert on the American Revolution Become an expert on the American Revolution
Research/Projects May be Obtrusive or Non-Obtrusive Obtrusive - where the researcher introduces conditions that influence participants. Where the researcher manipulates the environment. Obtrusive - where the researcher introduces conditions that influence participants. Where the researcher manipulates the environment. Non-obtrusive - where researcher avoids influencing subjects in any way and tries to be as inconspicuous as possible. Non-obtrusive - where researcher avoids influencing subjects in any way and tries to be as inconspicuous as possible.
Raising Money for an Orphanage Obtrusive-if the orphans are involved They attend functions They attend functions They Give you a Christmas list They Give you a Christmas list Orphans are surveyed to find their needs Orphans are surveyed to find their needs Non-Obtrusive-if the orphans are not involved They know nothing of you or your projects They know nothing of you or your projects All your data on them is from secondary sources All your data on them is from secondary sources
Finding a Cure For Cancer Obtrusive-if you change or manipulate samples/subjects Give subjects different types of medicine and monitor their progress Give subjects different types of medicine and monitor their progress Expose cancer cells to different types of radiation and monitor changes Expose cancer cells to different types of radiation and monitor changes Non-Obtrusive-if you observe or review existing records or history Collect and analyze eating habits of a population for correlations with cancer patients Collect and analyze eating habits of a population for correlations with cancer patients Collect and analyze intakes of current cancer patients Collect and analyze intakes of current cancer patients
Some Projects Usually Obtrusive Organizing a function (prom) Organizing a function (prom) Community Service Projects Community Service Projects Usually Non-Obtrusive Self Improvement Projects (learning to play the piano) Self Improvement Projects (learning to play the piano) Production Projects (writing a book, making a movie) Production Projects (writing a book, making a movie)
Obtrusive or Non-Obtrusive? Discovering which method of learning to read is more effective Discovering which method of learning to read is more effective Learning how to train horses Learning how to train horses Writing a book Writing a book Evaluating the safety of SUVS Evaluating the safety of SUVS Become an expert on the American Revolution Become an expert on the American Revolution