There are many way to describe research. For our purposes, here at East Tennessee State University, undergraduate research is defined as …

any creative effort undertaken by an undergraduate that advances the knowledge of the student in an academic discipline and that leads to new scholarly insights or the creation of new works that adds to the wealth of the discipline.

Research methods, approaches, and outcomes vary with the field of study.

• Composing or arranging music
• Creating a sculpture or painting
• Working in a science laboratory or doing a study outdoors
• Investigating a historic event
• Developing a marketing or management plan for a local organization
• Crafting a computer program or creating a website for a special purpose or group
• Gathering data on peoples’ experiences or opinions

All of these are forms of creative endeavors we call research.

Undergraduates don’t work alone on their research projects, but work with a faculty member in a particular department. Your faculty mentor can assist you in helping identify and frame a significant question in your discipline and then help plan the steps to the project.

You’ll also find that your faculty mentor has more experience with managing the process on campus---in other words, all those practical details about enrolling, meeting university policies, purchasing supplies, reserving rooms, and other such things.