Pick your topic
Get an idea of what you want to study or learn about.
Ideas should come from things in your areas of interest.
A hobby might lead you to a good topic.
What is going on in the world that you would like to know more about?
Most importantly, pick a question or problem that is not too broad and that can be answered through scientific investigation.
Research Your Topic
Go to the library or internet to learn more about your topic.
Always ask Why or What if….
Look for unexplained or unexpected results.
Talk to professionals in the field.
Organize
Organize everything you have learned about your topic.
Narrow your thinking by focusing on a particular idea.
Formulate research questions or specific objectives.
Make a Time Table
Choose a topic that not only interests you, but can be done in the amount of time you have.
Identify your ‘testable question’.
Develop a timeline to manage your time efficiently.
Certain projects will require more time because they need prior approval from the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) or Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Allow plenty of time to experiment and collect data.
You will also need time to write a paper.
Plan Your Data Collection
Give careful thought to experimental design / research design.
Once you have a feasible project idea, write a research plan.
Make sure that you include sufficient samples that are statistically valid.
Experimental design should also include a list of materials.
Once finished with the experimental design (called ‘procedure’) or research design, all students are required to fill out the appropriate forms.
Consult with Your Adult Sponsor and Get Approvals
You are required to discuss your research plan with an Adult Sponsor and obtain a signature of approval.
In reviewing your research plan, you should determine if additional forms and prior approval are needed.
Conduct Your Data Gathering/ Experiment
During experimentation, keep detailed notes of each and every experiment, measurement and observation in a log book.
Do not rely on memory. Besides,
judges love logbooks!
Use data tables or charts to record your quantitative data.
Analyze Your Results
When you complete your experiments, examine and organize your findings.
Use appropriate graphs to make ‘pictures’ of your data.
Identify patterns from the graphs.
Did your experiments/ procedure give you the expected results? Why or why not?
Was your experiment preformed with the exact same steps each time?
Are there other explanations that you had not considered or observed?
Were there experimental errors in your data taking, experimental design or observations?
Analyze your data using the statistics that you can understand and explain their meaning.
Draw Conclusions
Did the variable(s) tested cause a change when compared to the standard you are using?
What patterns do you see from your graph analysis that exist between your
variables?
Which variables are important?
Did you collect enough data?
Do you need to conduct more experimentation?
Were there sources of error that may have caused these differences?
Think of practical applications that can be made from this research. How could this project be used in the real world?
Explain how you would improve the experiment and what would you do differently.
Elements of a Successful Project
Project Data Book:
A project data book is your most treasured piece of work.
Accurate and detailed notes make a logical and winning project.
Research Paper:
a) Title Page and Table of Contents
b) Introduction
c) Materials and Methods
d) Results
e) Discussion
f) Conclusions
g) Acknowledgment
h) References/Bibliography
Three common reference styles
APA (American Psychological Association) Style
http://apastyle.apa.org/
http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.php
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
MLA (Modern Language Association) Format
http://www.mla.org/style
http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.php
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
Chicago Manual of Style
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/index.php
Research Proposal
a) Title Page and Table of Contents
b) Introduction
c) Materials and Methods
h) References/Bibliography (later after library research)
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