Secondary Research Program

What is Secondary Research Program?

Develop your own research question, design original experiments, and gain hands-on experience, with opportunities to work in research training labs.
Receive personalized academic writing guidance from expert mentors and full support for publication.

Tentative Timeline

Topic Selection and Research

This initial phase lays the groundwork for a successful research experience. In Week 1, each student is paired with a subject-matter mentor who helps align their interests, strengths, and long-term goals with a relevant and meaningful research topic. Mentors guide students through a structured brainstorming session and introduce them to foundational reading materials in their area of interest.

During Weeks 2 to 4, students explore the topic in greater depth, reviewing existing literature, identifying knowledge gaps, and discussing real-world applications. They learn to evaluate sources, use academic databases, and critically analyze prior work. The goal is to develop a focused and researchable question or hypothesis that is both original and feasible within the program's timeframe. By the end of Week 4, students submit a Research Proposal which outlines their topic, objective, scope, and initial reference list.

Research Paper Development

With a clear question in hand, students move into the writing phase, supported by structured guidance from their mentors. In Weeks 5 and 6, students draft their introduction and literature review, learning to synthesize multiple sources and establish the context for their study. Mentors provide feedback on writing style, academic tone, and logical flow.

Weeks 7 and 8 focus on methodology and analysis. Depending on the nature of the research—whether theoretical, experimental, or survey-based—students learn how to construct arguments, design experiments, collect data, or build models. For empirical work, students are also introduced to basic tools for data analysis and visualization.

By Week 9, students start compiling their full draft, incorporating results and discussing their implications. Mentors assist in refining arguments, citing sources correctly, and maintaining academic integrity throughout.

Finalization, Submission, and Beyond

The final stretch of the program is dedicated to polishing the paper for submission. In Week 10, students focus on revisions, peer reviews, and feedback integration. They work on improving clarity, structure, formatting, and visual elements like charts or tables. Week 11 is typically used for proofreading, reference checks, and preparing the final manuscript.

In Week 12, students submit their completed research paper to a specific publication journal as decided by the mentor based on suitability and time of submission.

What's Included

Communication Projects

These projects aim to inform a specific audience about a topic or raise their awareness and interest in STEM. We help students to tailor science communication projects that transform complex research into accessible, engaging content across formats like articles, videos, and infographics.

Secondary Research/Reports

These projects aim to provide a fresh perspective for a STEM topic through data gathering and analysis. We support students and professionals in writing strong secondary research papers—from topic selection to final citations—ensuring clarity, credibility, and impact.

Publication Support

From editing and formatting to final submission, we guide you every step of the way. Expert mentors ensure your research is polished, professional, and ready for publication.

Navigating Success Stories

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Subjects

What Can You Research?

  • Biology

    A published study in Pre‑Med Majors (Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering) showcases real scientific rigor and genuine research involvement.

  • Physics

    Top schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale look favorably on students who’ve done theoretical modeling, astrophysics simulations, or experimental work (even small-scale lab setups).

  • Chemistry

    Ivy League chemistry programs value students who can write research papers, even review-style ones, in organic, analytical, or medicinal chemistry with correct citation and chemical analysis.

  • Mathematics

    Math research, such as original problem-solving, proof development, or even statistical modeling, is a standout, particularly for students aiming for pure math, applied math, or data science.

  • Economics and Finance

    Students are expected to analyze real or simulated economic data that includes hypothesis formation, data visualization, interpretation, and economic reasoning.

  • Psychology and Cognitive Science

    Psychology is a top and competitive major at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Penn. These departments expect undergraduates to design experiments, analyze behavior, and contribute to publishable findings.

  • Environmental Science and Ecology

    Environmental engineering and ecology are growing fields at Dartmouth and other Ivies. These programs value hands-on fieldwork, data analysis, and contributions to publishable environmental research.

  • Computer Science and Computational Biology

    Student-led coding or data science research leading to publications is highly preferred.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Design your own research question, dive deep into existing literature, and craft a high-quality paper under expert mentorship. Develop critical research skills, produce credible secondary research or communication projects, and prepare your findings for publication.
The Secondary Research Program is an intensive research experience focused on analyzing existing literature and data. Students work closely with mentors to identify gaps, form a novel research question, produce a high-quality paper, and receive full support for eventual publication.

This program is designed for high school and undergraduate students who want to explore research without necessarily conducting primary experiments. It’s ideal for those who enjoy analysis, writing, and working with data or literature.

The program spans 12 weeks, with clearly defined phases:
– Weeks 1–4: Topic Selection & Proposal
– Weeks 5–8: Literature Review & Analysis
– Weeks 9–11: Drafting & Revision
– Week 12: Final Submission & Publication Preparation

No prior research experience is required. Our mentors will guide you through every stage—from choosing a topic to learning how to evaluate sources and write academically.
You can choose from a wide range of STEM and social science subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics & Finance, Psychology, Environmental Science, and Computer Science.
Students receive hands-on mentoring at every stage, including topic selection, literature search strategies, writing and revising drafts, citation guidance, and help submitting the final paper to a suitable journal.
While this is a secondary research program, students can enhance their projects with optional hands‑on activities like research communication projects (e.g. infographics, videos) that make research accessible to a broad audience.

You can produce different types of research outputs, including:
– In-depth secondary research papers
– Science communication content tailored to different audiences
– Literature reviews for existing STEM questions
All with the goal of preparing them for academic or public dissemination.

By the end of the program, you will have: – Developed a novel research question – Written a polished research paper – Learned key research and academic writing skills – Received full support to submit your work for publication in a relevant journal
You can apply online by filling out the application form. Once accepted, you’ll be matched with a mentor to plan your research journey and set a schedule tailored to your goals and interests.

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