1. Getting Started in Research
BY John sousA, Research methods TA
Fau high school, research methods 9th grade class

2. Why is research important?
It is the advancement of knowledge.
It enables us to understands ourselves better.
Our Bodies
Our Psyche
Our History
Our Surroundings
We can improve our quality of life, physically and psychologically.
Why is research important?
It is how we learn new things; things that weren’t known before. Everything that you are learning in this class and in all of your other classes is based on research.
We are literally learning out of thin air!
All of the cool things you see on the news like the exoskeleton that makes humans 10 times stronger or the first man to be able to walk after being paralyzed, are products of research.

3. Why should I do research?
You can learn so much more doing research than you can in a class.
You are exposed to new methods of thinking that will help you solve many problems inside and outside the classroom.
It looks good on your resume.
You can make strong connections with important people in your field.
It’s fun!
Why should I do research?
Hands on learning is by far more effective than learning from a book.
Learning to think systematically and rationally is a very useful skill.
Most undergrads don’t have research experience. It makes you much more attractive to potential employers and/or admissions committees.
In many fields, who you know is more important than what you know. Having connections (even indirect ones) to faculty at other programs or in industry can help you get your foot in the door for a grad student or employment position.

4. But I don’t know anything about my field of interest!
“If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” – Albert Einstein
That’s the point of research!
This class is teaching you how to do research.

5. Okay, I guess research is pretty awesome and there’s no reason I shouldn’t do it… How do I get started?
If one of your professors is doing research that you are interested in, ask them about doing research with them.
You are more likely to get a research position this way.
Look at FAU faculty in your field of interest.
them asking to meet in person.

6. The All-Important Email
This is NOT a good example! It’s too long. Researchers don’t have time to read a novel. Be concise.

7. You can ask others for help. Include:
Peer mentors, guidance counselors, instructors.
Include:
Name
Year (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
Major
Why you want to join their lab/research group
Your educational background (INCLUDING THIS CLASS)
Your academic goals
Do not:
Mention that you are in high school
Be verbose
Make grammatical errors
Take a “no” personally

8. Meeting
If the Principal Investigator (PI) grants you a meeting, take it seriously.
Dress well.
Read up on their recent papers.
Have questions ready.
Show interest.
Be respectful.
Let them know how you are willing to learn and work hard.

9. Afterwards… Send a thank you note soon after meeting with them.
If they agree to letting you do research:
Congratulations!
Make sure you have enough hours a week to dedicate to research.
~15 hours a week
If they ask you to come in at an unusual time, do it unless you absolutely cannot make it.
Impress them:
Meet with PI regularly to talk about your progress and your future goals.

10. What will I be doing in the lab?
Highly depends on PI and the field of research.
In a small lab, you will be more involved in the work.
In a large lab with a well known PI, you may be able to attend conferences and make more connections.
However, it may be more difficult to get your name on a publication.