Research is difficult, but highly engaging, work. By having students ask questions, and answer those through their research, the purpose of the work becomes more clear and the work is more interesting. Allowing students to define problems and refine questions make this difficult work more engaging.
Research requires one to follow recognized protocols that make this a unique style of learning. Educators provide help as students assess, select, and utilize protocols. Educators also have a responsibility to teach students how to follow these protocols and to develop increasingly sophisticated understanding of issues such as the ethics of research and plagiarism.
Researchers have many tools to support their work. Many new and powerful tools are technology-based and have become available only to the most recent generations of researchers. Educators who include research their curriculum must understand emerging information sources and to adopt those and adapt exceptions based on those tools.