At What Point is "Research" Research?

[ImNotBritish]

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I'm working on improving my app to repply this summer. I'm trying desperately to find research experience but am having a hard time, as most labs require that you be a student, and I've already graduated. To make a long story short, the closest thing that I've found is a volunteer position with the local Department of Wildlife. I would be counting birds in their native mating habitats. However, it doesn't exactly involve a hypothesis or testing any variables. Is this close enough to "research" to possibly be able to pull it off, or would it just count as volunteering experience (which I already have a decent/varied amount of)? Thanks, guys.

 

[binko]

I'm working on improving my app to repply this summer. I'm trying desperately to find research experience but am having a hard time, as most labs require that you be a student, and I've already graduated. To make a long story short, the closest thing that I've found is a volunteer position with the local Department of Wildlife. I would be counting birds in their native mating habitats. However, it doesn't exactly involve a hypothesis or testing any variables. Is this close enough to "research" to possibly be able to pull it off, or would it just count as volunteering experience (which I already have a decent/varied amount of)? Thanks, guys.

Were you recording data? Was it being analyzed?

 

[ImNotBritish]

I haven't actually done it yet, but from what I understand the data would be recorded, and applied only to super basic "the population is bigger than last year" sort of applications. I'm thinking more of a bar graph on the back of an informational pamphlet at best, not exactly published with analysis of fecundity or anything like that.

 

[Matt105]

sounds like research to me man. you helping in a lab or you gathering data for analysis (like said above) = you being in a research environment

 

[witness23]

have you tried emailing PIs?

 

[harrothere]

PI's should be looking for undergrads like crazy. The stimulus package opened up money specifically to fund undergraduates for summer research positions. For about $10/hr and 1000 travel stipend! Start emailing PI's from universities near you to see if anyone will take you under their wing. It's a very small (3 page) grant for them and they get the benefit of an extra set of hands at a low price!

Cast a wide net my friend.

 

[Bildo]

PI's?

Can I get an explanation on the acronym?

 

[Ponger]

PI's?

Can I get an explanation on the acronym?

Principle Investigator

The head of the lab, or the one with ultimate authority over research being conducted in a lab.

 

[ImNotBritish]

PI's should be looking for undergrads like crazy.

That's what I would have thought, but I've emailed ~15 PIs, and of the 4 that have responded, 1 didn't have any spots, and the other 3 are only open to current students. I'm feeling way behind the curve...