Welcome to Inquiry ‘09
Welcome to the fifth issue of Inquiry, the online undergraduate research journal of the University of New Hampshire.
Inquiry was created to support the academic mission of UNH as a research and public service university. It offers undergraduate researchers the opportunity to communicate their experiences and results to general as well as academic audiences—the final and very important step in the research process.
The undergraduate research described in this issue addresses national and global issues. Two researchers, one here at UNH and the other in South Korea, look at our aging population and the health problems they face: can antioxidants help prevent or ameliorate their illnesses? Two other researchers show us how research in particle physics, a rarefied subject, can be important in our everyday lives. We also learn about one student’s experience recovering a lost photography exhibit and another’s discovering Basque identity in Spain. National and international politics as well as music are represented in this issue, and recent graduates reflect on their undergraduate research experiences. While several authors speak of frustrations and even failures in their research projects, they also express their determination and dedication to further research. And there is more.
These Inquiry articles are based on undergraduate research done for a course or project under the direction of one or more faculty mentors. These faculty members go out of their way to support the students’ research; often they are closely involved in the writing of the Inquiry article as well. Read about them along with their mentees at Authors and Mentors».
For this issue, five editors from last year were joined by three new editors on Inquiry’s volunteer student editorial board. Two new graduate students in English were hired to be assistant editors. They all improved their own writing skills while collaborating with authors and staff editors in the revisions necessary to make a specialized subject widely accessible. In addition, the editors, from different majors, interviewed and wrote biographies of authors and mentors, proofread each others’ drafts, and some wrote feature articles. Both authors and editors learned to be precise, concise, and patient. (See Editorial Staff»)
It’s gratifying to all involved to know that the journal is being read not only in New Hampshire and the U.S. but also worldwide. Responses from readers of the 2008 and earlier issues continue to arrive. Many authors received comments, questions, requests for more information, or congratulations from friends and strangers. Some were interviewed on a local New Hampshire radio show. Requests also came to reprint or cite an article.
Although this is our fifth issue, we are still learning and would appreciate hearing from you, our readers. Use the Contact the Author button at the end of each article to respond to an author or to the editors. (See Responses») Meanwhile, good reading.
Donna Brown, Director of Undergraduate Research
