I've asked to do research for the Fall at a nearby university... read on...?

Question

I met the professor and he gave me two articles to choose what kind of thing I want to do. The problem is that I'm having a hard time doing this (finding/choosing something to do by myself), so is it okay to email him and ask if I can visit his lab one day to see how things are? (I think the correct term is shadowing. :)

I just need some ideas of what's really going on, and I can't get that from the articles. I think he may think the articles scared me off, but I'll tell him they didn't.... and just ask if I can come observe one day.

Answer 1

I don't see much trouble with it.  Most scientists *LOVE* to talk about their research and show people everything.  However, depending on how active the lab currently is, squeezing all of that into one day may be a bit difficult to accomplish.  You might have to settle with only explanations of some of the techniques and procedures.

I'm assuming you're doing this as a student and you're basically going to be "free labor" for the professor.  Trust me... they'll do what they can to help you out and make you comfortable.  You'll probably have more control over what you do than a lot of research techs.

Answer 2

First off I don't see a question.  How can you do anything if you cant follow simple guidelines.  This is not a chat room or group.

The prof gave you those paper to see if you had some interest in the subject matter.  Perhaps it is something he/she is doing.  There should not be any problem with a visit to the lab.

Answer 3

Your best start is to go ahead and check on his portion of the website for your school to start, see how he summarizes his work there.  Articles can sometimes be confusing in their depth and scientific language, so this is a way to deal with some of that.  At the same time, I would say shadowing him would be a very good idea.  Professors love to see someone interested in their work, even if they're not sure exactly what part.  The other thing you could do is talk to other people who work in his lab.  A different perspective can provide a lot of help in understanding these things.

Answer 4

It is entirely reasonable to ask for a day of shadowing the professor and/or his students while they are performing research activities.

The fact you received two research articles indicates to me the prof probably wants you to do something related to the projects in those articles.  It could be he knows he has the equipment and materials necessary to do work related to the articles.

ASK!  Explain just as you did in your question posted here.