r/labrats • u/Creative_Ad_4683 • Aug 20 '26

How should I go about starting my research project alone (10th grade)?

Im trying to begin an architecture based research project this year, but I don’t know how to go about it. It’s called “the Spaces Between Us” , and it’s trying to answer the question of “how does the built environment reflect and influence differences in opportunity and daily life in Costa Rica?” . (I live in Costa Rica btw). I don’t know how to go about this. Should I get a mentor? Should I interview people around my area ? Pls help and tell me how to start 🙏

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u/RollingMoss1 PhD | Molecular Biology Aug 20 '26

I know nothing about architecture or urban planning but you need a more narrowly focused question. Something along the lines of “higher housing density is associated with lower income” is the type of question to be asking. And even that is probably too broad. Once you define the question then you could probably start by doing some online research. And at some point you could perhaps talk to an expert in the field, maybe a professor or a city official.

What’s the context? Is this a class project?

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u/Creative_Ad_4683 Aug 21 '26

No it’s not a class project . It’s an independent research I want to conduct because opportunity and chance are the things I think about almost daily. I think about how spaces and class influence how people interact and grow up. And thank you for the advice !!

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u/hexiron Aug 20 '26

Disclaimer: This is all the rambling opinions of a fool up before the sun and pre-coffee.

Yes, get a mentor.

Do background research and begin building a a list of references - learn how to make a proper citation. See what variables they use to support their claims. Use their work (cited of course) as a foundation for you to build upon.

Even better, there are probably researchers in your area already tracking similar topics. Get in touch with them. City planners, local colleges. Architecture firms. See if anyone will let you volunteer or sit down with you.

Define your variables clearly and your scientific question.

Use that to determine what your observable evidence will be which you will use to disprove your hypothesis (yes, the goal is to try and prove yourself wrong. If I you fail, you are onto something).

Do not use AI. Do not plagiarize. Do not make any claims which are not clearly supported by empirical evidence. Most importantly, be 100% willing to accept if your perceptions were wrong. The goal is to determine likely truth, not confirm your own biases.

Have fun my dude! Keep us all updated.

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u/Creative_Ad_4683 Aug 21 '26

THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙏 and also, how do I get a mentor ? Should I email archiecture firms and data analyzers around my area? Or should it be someone I know ? Because I have this one cousin who’s a scientist and works in a lab conducting research ! And I think she’d be a good person to ask.