What Is Real Authentic Research

Doing research is a skill that can be learned and practiced, like any other. Research guides develop a student's capacity to do research from framing a question through to communicating findings.

They sit between classroom teachers and PhD advisors. Classroom teachers work with material that has known answers. PhD advisors work with committed researchers. Research guides work with the student in between.

The method is cognitive apprenticeship. See the paper: The Research Guide: From Informal Role to Profession

Students choose their own questions, design experiments, simulations, or theory, collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings.

As a teenager, research is free from professional pressures. Students follow their curiosity, can change direction, and learn that setbacks and dead ends are part of the process. Very few working scientists get to chase a question with no application in mind and no funding to defend. A teenager can.

Besides that, you develop skills that matter: Ownership & Self-Direction, Curiosity & Creativity, Comfort with Ambiguity, The Right Questions, What's Already Known, Critical Thought, Opportunity Recognition, Resilience & Long-Term Focus, Communication & Collaboration, Real Science Literacy. These matter in other areas of life where there's no clear path forward, not only in science. Research shows that students who do authentic research develop greater self-direction, comfort with uncertainty, and confidence in their ability to figure things out.

Students can showcase their research at science fairs, tournaments, and competitions, from local fairs to prestigious international events like Regeneron ISEF and Science Talent Search. They can also publish in media like our magazine or peer-reviewed journal. Our annual conference in Princeton is another opportunity to present and connect with other young researchers. See our list of programs and competitions for more examples.