In scholarly work, research is the process by which new knowledge is constructed. These new discoveries or creative products serve as unique contributions to their fields. Although the products of a research experience and the related descriptive vocabulary vary greatly across disciplines, new knowledge creation is fundamentally the result of an inquiry-based process.

The Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR) defines undergraduate research as “An inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline”.