Research involves a formal research plan (protocol) involving a stated objective with a set of procedures to reach that objective. In other words, research is a systematic investigation using a scientific method to obtain knowledge or contribute to knowledge in a particular field. All subjects or their legal representative (for example, if children are the subjects) have a legal right to know their rights and to fully understand what is expected of them if they voluntarily agree to participate in the projects. Another consideration regarding what constitutes research is: will the data will be presented or published (for example, UNK’s Student Research Day, state, regional, or national conferences)? If “yes,” your study would likely be considered “research.”
