Why is research a word not usually found in the two-year college vocabulary? At a 2YC3 conference held in New York in 1995, it appeared that undergraduate research in two-year colleges tended to be a very regional and limited undertaking. Webster defines research as: "1. Careful or diligent search; 2. Studious inquiry or examination; and 3. The collecting of information about a particular subject." These are things performed in our laboratories, so why not do them in a formal setting, making the students more aware that they are performing research? The challenge is to develop an investigative spirit in ourselves and thus in our students. This does not mean that we have to be inventing new procedures or making profound discoveries. Instructors, however, hesitate to implement a research program, claiming a lack of equipment, time, interest, training, or support. By sharing my experience, I hope it will make it easier for you to overcome some of these obstacles and enjoy the experiences of student research.
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Citation
Whipple-VanPatter, Georgianna. J. Chem. Educ.1998 75 1210.
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