Research Methods is designed for students interested in independent science research. Because of the breadth of material included in most science classes, it is a challenge for students to delve deeply into a given topic that interests them. This program allows students to develop a research question using resources online and in college libraries. Students design and conduct experiments to test their research questions and then analyze their results with statistical analyses. Students expand their communication skills with formal reports and presentations to the class. They also participate in a larger research community at the local science fair and the Harker Research Symposium.

Prerequisite for Research Methods: Physics or Honors Physics and recommendation of the student’s science and/or mathematics teacher. In addition, students must attend a brief meeting in the spring prior to their enrollment in the course. UC approved.

In Advanced Research, students have the option of continuing their research projects from the Research Methods course with additional experiments and/or more in-depth analyses. They also may pursue research in a different field altogether. Students who complete a research project over the summer or are ready to collect data on a project approved by the instructor may also enroll. The course requires much independent work, but also incorporates peer review and mentoring of less experienced research students. Advanced Research may be taken for credit more than once. With instructor approval, students may enroll in an honors version of the course. Honors students are held to a higher standard of writing quality and are expected to incorporate original procedures and/or analysis into their projects. Honors students also take on additional mentoring duties with students in the Research Methods course.

Prerequisite for Advanced Research: Research Methods or instructor approval. Typically, instructor approval requires satisfactory completion of a summer research internship or a formal research proposal.

Interview with: Mr. Spenner

Produced by: Evan Cheng