25
Science Research Science Research Guide Guide Mr. Schulman Mr. Schulman

Science Research Guide Mr. Schulman. Safety and Regulations Certain areas of study must be in compliance and have special forms signed before beginning

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Science Research Science Research GuideGuide

Mr. SchulmanMr. Schulman

Safety and RegulationsSafety and Regulations

Certain areas of study must be in compliance Certain areas of study must be in compliance and have special forms signed before and have special forms signed before beginning the project. See handbook. These beginning the project. See handbook. These forms can be downloaded from the “Rules forms can be downloaded from the “Rules Wizard” at the following web site:Wizard” at the following web site:– http://www.sciserv.org/isef– Also check out the “Project Primer” and “Document Also check out the “Project Primer” and “Document

Library” on the same site.Library” on the same site.

No vertebrate animal experimentation No vertebrate animal experimentation is allowed in middle school.is allowed in middle school.Work with microorganisms requires Work with microorganisms requires special permission, also.special permission, also.

Writing your Research Paper: •Use 3rd person•Type in a 12 point standard font•Check your spelling and grammar

TITLE PAGEPut your title in themiddle of the page.

NAMESCHOOL GRADE

ABSTRACTUse this format: COMPLETE PROJECT TITLE (all in capital letters, as it appears on project) Student’s name (Last name, First name, Middle initial if used) Broward County Science Fair Category entered The following parts should be included in an abstract

1. PURPOSE: Why is the research being done?2. HYPOTHESIS: What is the expected outcome of the research?3. PROCEDURE: Briefly, in paragraph form, describe the materials

used and how the experiment was done. This section should not be a list, but a summary of your methods.

4. RESULTS: Briefly summarize the data from charts and graphs in narrative form. Include only information collected during the study.

5. CONCLUSIONS: Briefly, in narrative form, cite interpretation of the results. Briefly, compare findings with other research.

Include suggestions for procedural improvements and

recommendations for future study.6. APPLICATION: How is this research useful for everyday life?

THE ABSTRACT SHOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 250 WORDS, SINGLE-SPACED ON A SEPARATE PAGE, FONT SIZE NO SMALLER THAN 10 POINT, AND IT SHOULD FIT IN THE BOX ON THE FORM AT THE ISEF WEBSITE: http://www.sciserv.org/isef/document/abstrct.pdf

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Write one to three sentences that explains why you are doing this investigation. The problem is stated in the form of a question.

Example: “Which soap powder is most effective in removing ketchup stains?”

THE PROBLEM STATEMENT IS THE FIRST SENTENCE OF YOUR INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND RESEARCHBACKGROUND RESEARCH(INTRODUCTION)(INTRODUCTION)

This section helps the reader to This section helps the reader to understand your topic. It discusses the understand your topic. It discusses the information that was learned and information that was learned and explains the reasons why you chose explains the reasons why you chose this hypothesis.this hypothesis.

The introduction should be 3-5 pages The introduction should be 3-5 pages long or approximately 1,000 words. long or approximately 1,000 words.

HYPOTHESISHYPOTHESIS

• A hypothesis states what you think is A hypothesis states what you think is going to happen when you investigate a going to happen when you investigate a question. It is written in “If…then” question. It is written in “If…then” format: If the independent variable is format: If the independent variable is applied, then the dependent variable applied, then the dependent variable will change in a certain way.will change in a certain way.

• Example: Example: IfIf marigold plants are marigold plants are watered with cola, milk and water, watered with cola, milk and water, thenthen the plants watered with milk will grow the plants watered with milk will grow tallest.tallest.

• THE HYPOTHESIS IS THE LAST THE HYPOTHESIS IS THE LAST SENTENCE OF YOUR INTRODUCTIONSENTENCE OF YOUR INTRODUCTION

EXPERIMENTEXPERIMENT

MaterialsMaterials ProcedureProcedure ControlsControls VariablesVariables DataData Data AnalysisData Analysis

MATERIALS List all materials used in your investigation. Include what, how

much and what kinds of materials you used. Keep in mind quantities are important. Be sure to use only metric units.

Good Listing Poor Listing 3 – 15x15 cm squares of each: Paper towels

Brawny, Gala, ScottGeneric paper towels

250 ml graduated beaker Measuring cup

750 ml water 20º C Water 1 – 20x20 cm square cake pan Container Celsius thermometer thermometer Clock with second hand Clock

PROCEDUREPROCEDURE Your step-by-step directions are like a Your step-by-step directions are like a

recipe. Anyone who reads them will be recipe. Anyone who reads them will be able to duplicate your investigation and able to duplicate your investigation and get the same results. You must repeat get the same results. You must repeat your experiment 10 times.your experiment 10 times.

Example:Example:Question:Question: “Do all brands of paper towels “Do all brands of paper towels absorb the same amount of water?”absorb the same amount of water?”Step-by-Step Directions:Step-by-Step Directions: “Cut three 15x15 “Cut three 15x15 cm square from each brand of paper towel. cm square from each brand of paper towel. Label each cut piece with brand name. Pour Label each cut piece with brand name. Pour 50 ml of 20ºC water into 20x20 cm square 50 ml of 20ºC water into 20x20 cm square pan. Place 1 square of Generic brand paper pan. Place 1 square of Generic brand paper towel into water in pan. Leave for 30 towel into water in pan. Leave for 30 seconds. Remove paper towel. Measure seconds. Remove paper towel. Measure water remaining in pan and record. Dry water remaining in pan and record. Dry pan. Repeat steps 4-8 for each brand of pan. Repeat steps 4-8 for each brand of paper towel. Repeat entire process 10 paper towel. Repeat entire process 10 times for each brand of paper towel.times for each brand of paper towel.

CONTROLS Keep everything the same except for

the variable being tested. The control group receives the same treatment as the test group, but the independent variable isn’t applied.

VARIABLES

A variable is something that can be changed in the experiment. An independent variable is what you change on purpose to see its effect. A dependent variable is what changed or did not change in response to what was changed on purpose.

DATA LOG Data refers to information gathered during your

investigation. Your data log should include:

1. Detailed day-by-day notes on the progress of your project

A. What you are actually doingB. Problems you have with your investigationC. Things you would change if you were doing this

investigation again

2. Any drawings that you feel might help explain your work3. Data that you gather from your investigation (notes, tables, charts, graphs)

Be sure that you date each entry in your log

Making a GraphMaking a Graph• Title: The title is a short description

of the data being displayed.• Horizontal Axis: The Independent Variable

(what you changed on purpose) is displayed on the horizontal axis.

• Vertical Axis: The Dependent Variable (what happened as a result of what you changed) is displayed on the vertical axis.

DATA ANALYSIS

Discuss patterns and/or trends in your data. Explain why they occurred. Describe any problems with your experiment.

RESULTS

Interpret the data. State the findings of the experiment based upon the data you observed and analyzed.

WRITING A CONCLUSION

Before you write your conclusions, carefully examine all your data (graphs, charts, tables.)

Answer these questions:1. Did you get the results you expected to

get?2. Did your experiment support your

hypothesis?

APPLICATIONS Tell how the project and results are

useful.

RECOMMENDATIONS Tell how you would improve your

project or what you would do to extend it for further study.

BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY

On a separate page, list On a separate page, list alphabetically all books, articles, alphabetically all books, articles, people or other sources you used for people or other sources you used for researching and writing your paper. researching and writing your paper. Indent the second line of each Indent the second line of each citation. Do not number the citations. citation. Do not number the citations.

See See www.easybib.com. Use MLA style.. Use MLA style. Use at least 5 sources and cite the Use at least 5 sources and cite the

Intel ISEF Display and Safety Intel ISEF Display and Safety RegulationsRegulations

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

On a separate page, make a list of On a separate page, make a list of any people, including your any people, including your parents, who may have helped parents, who may have helped you.you.

SAMPLE BOARD LAYOUT

SUGGESTED TIMELINEWEEK # WEEKLY OBJECTIVES

2 Proposal (problem and way student might go about researching and solving it).3 2 source cards. Plan for developing evidence for display4 3 source cards5 3 source cards6 2 source cards7-8 Rough draft of: Procedures, Materials, and Data Table design7-8 Submission of ISEF Certification Forms. Approval is for actual experimentation or data collection.9-11 Rough draft of: Data collection, Data analysis,

Conclusion, Abstract 12 Final copy (includes all parts of a formal science

research paper) 13-14 Display design and construction

ResourcesResources Consult the following website for these forms Consult the following website for these forms

and any additional forms you may need: and any additional forms you may need: http://www.sciserv.org/isef Checklist for Adult Sponsor / Safety Checklist for Adult Sponsor / Safety

Assessment Form Assessment Form Research Plan (1A)Research Plan (1A) Research Plan AttachmentResearch Plan Attachment Approval Form (1B)Approval Form (1B)

SponsorsSponsors Exxon / Mobil Educational Alliance ProgramExxon / Mobil Educational Alliance Program Wal-MartWal-Mart Office DepotOffice Depot Local BusinessesLocal Businesses

DatesDatesSchool Fair = month of School Fair = month of

JanuaryJanuaryCounty Fair = first week of County Fair = first week of

FebruaryFebruary