well you really get a lot of different backgrounds, people who are new but come from other technical fields like me, people who come from electronics related fields and then two other types:
those who have read or watched way too much sci fi and think it works like star trek, where if it sounds like in some crazy way it might work, then it works. "If I change the speed of the different electrons and do something so I can tell them apart, i can track several objects!" I think the world of sci fi, where the rule is "what can go right will go right" confuses some people who don't have expierience. In reality a project that started out like in star trek "If i double the frequency of the warp core input it may just break us free of this warp inhibiting feild, It would normally take weeks, but I can do it in 8 hours if I try" would end like "well dang, the power converter isn't working quite right at that frequency, the core is getting hot, and I think I fried something, were boned".
those seem to have just gotten the idea that they can save or make money easily this way. "How do I make a plasma screen TV? Id like to make a 72 inch for about $40, please give me schematics, and parts list with suppliers"
and there are students who want their homework done for them, but these can fit into the previous two categories.