Getting Started Research participation should extend throughout your senior year, but you can begin earlier. If you are interested in research participation before your senior year but cannot work Independent Study into your schedule, ask what you might do. Read the sections that follow, and note research problems that interest you. Talk to faculty about them. Do not be reluctant to talk with more than one faculty member.
Faculty are happy to discuss their research.
They can suggest things you might read to understand a research area better. You can certainly do the same. A worthwhile research experience requires a solid effort. You should expect to put in at least as much effort as in any other course. Acquiring the background.