Getting Started in Research
What does research look like in the humanities, arts, and social sciences? Will you work in a lab? How do you find a faculty mentor? Explore the tabs below to help you get started!
Research in the humanities, arts, and social sciences often looks different from research in STEM fields. Undergraduate researchers in HASS fields may work on faculty-initiated projects but they are more likely to work on student-initiated projects under the guidance of faculty mentors.
Recent research projects by undergraduate HASS researchers include:
-
-
An investigation into marginalized communities and the environment in rural California by anthropology major Victoria Gutierrez
-
The creation of a community-guided framework for doulas by global studies major Leila Chiddick
-
An investigation into traditional cheesemaking practices in Mexico by history major Guillermo Miranda
-
A study of a 14th-century poem by English major Eric Sican
-
Below, you’ll find brief descriptions of research in each of the categories of humanities, arts, and social sciences. Keep in mind, however, that research is often interdisciplinary and doesn’t fit into just one category. Check out this Research and Academics Glossary to familiarize yourself with terms your may encounter during your research journey.
Research in the Humanities
Research in the humanities can take a variety of forms; it might include studying language, literature, philosophy, religion, culture, and many other disciplinary and interdisciplinary areas. The study of the humanities is often described as the study of the human experience.
Researchers may interpret texts, films, artworks, music, language, cultural practices, and many other topics and questions. You can explore the UCLA Humanities Division website to learn about exciting humanities research and events at UCLA.
Research in the Arts
Arts research might involve creating art (such as creating a sculpture, choreographing a dance, writing music) or investigating and studying art (such as interpreting and analyzing architecture, media arts projects, performances, paintings, etc.).
Arts research can also be broadly interdisciplinary, engaging with humanities, social science, and science topics and questions. You can explore the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture website in order to learn about exciting arts research and events at UCLA.
Research in the Social Sciences
The social sciences are often described broadly as the study of people and society. The social sciences include investigations of culture, economics, geography, politics, history, identity, and many other areas.
Social scientists use a variety of approaches and methodologies to conduct their research; they might run experiments, analyze statistics and data, interview people, observe people in real life, and/or many other methods. You can explore the UCLA Social Sciences Division website to learn about exciting social sciences research and events at UCLA.
