What is research?

Federal regulations define research as “a systematic investigation, including development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge” (45 CFR 46.102(d)). Research is usually described in a formal protocol that sets forth an objective and a set of procedures to reach that objective.

“Research” generally does not include operational activities such as defined practice activities in public health, medicine, psychology, and social work (e.g., routine outbreak investigations and disease monitoring) and studies for internal management purposes such as program evaluation, quality assurance, quality improvement, and fiscal or program audits. It generally does not include journalism or political polls. However, some of these activities may include or constitute research in circumstances where there is a clear intent to contribute to generalizable knowledge.

"Generalizable knowledge" is information where the intended use of the research findings can be applied to populations or situations beyond the studied unit.

My project is definitely research. Does it involve human subjects?