Science Research Guide
Pioneer Science Department
SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Statement of Problem
Background Information
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedures
Data
Conclusion
#1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
There are a variety of websites that
provide ideas for research projects. (See
next slide)
Be sure to select an interesting topic
THAT CAN BE TESTED!!!
#1 RESEARCH IDEAS
A Discovery Education Science Fair Central
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Getting-Started/idea-finder.html
B. Julian’s Science Fair http://www.juliantrubin.com/sciencefairprojectsaz.html
C. Science Buddies http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_ideas.shtml?From=Tab
D. Science Buddies Project Selection Wizard http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/recommender_register.php
E. Science Fair Central
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Getting-Started/idea-finder.html
F. Science Kids http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects.html
G. Try Science http://www.tryscience.org/
H. Middle School Project Ideas http://www.education.com/science-fair/kindergarten+seventhgrade+eighth-grade/
I. Hot Chalk Project Ideas http://lessonplanspage.com/sciexperiments-htm/
#1 SAFETY AND REGULATIONS
Certain areas of study must be in compliance and have
special forms signed before beginning the project. These
forms can be downloaded from the “Rules Wizard” at the
following web site:
– https://apps2.societyforscience.org/wizard/index.asp
– Also check out the Intel ISEF Project Database
and Intel ISEF Categories and Subcategories
on the same site.
No vertebrate animal experimentation is allowed in middle
school.
Work with microorganisms requires special equipment
and permission.
#1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Write one to three sentences explaining
why the research is being done. The
problem is stated in the form of a question.
Example: “Which brand of paper towel is
the most absorbent?
The Problem Statement is the first
sentence of the Introduction or
Background Information
#2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Should include10 different sources of
information on the chosen topic.
Printout sources and highlight the
pertinent information OR use note cards
to record information IN YOUR OWN
WORDS!
Be sure to note bibliography information.
#2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION, cont…
Use WolframAlpha as a search tool:
https://www.wolframalpha.com/
DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA!!!
Minimum of 10 different sources needed!
#2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION, cont…
The first sentence is the
Purpose/Problem Statement written as
a question
The last sentence is the Hypothesis
written in “If…then…” format
#2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION, cont…
In between the problem statement and
the hypothesis, the paper should be
3-5 pages long or about 1,000 words.
Organize, rewrite and explain the
research information in your own
words.
#2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION, CONT…
Use 3rd person (he, she, it, they…)
Use standard 10-12 size font, black ink
Double space, print on one side only
Do not include any information about
YOUR experiment!!!
#2 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Use www.easybib.com OR http://www.bibme.org/
to alphabetically list all 10 research
sources in MLA or APA format. Do not
number the sources.
The first line of each entry should begin at
the margin, and each additional line
should be slightly indented
For additional help access:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_bibliography.shtml
#2 Bibliography Format
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#3 HYPOTHESIS
The hypothesis is an educated ‘guess’ of the
outcome of the experiment. It is written in
“If…then…” format: If the independent variable
is applied, then the dependent variable will
change in a certain way…
Example: If different brands of paper towels are
tested for absorbency, then the generic brand
will hold the most liquid.
The Hypothesis is the last sentence of the
Background Introduction
#4 MATERIALS
List all materials used in the experiment. Include
what, how much and what kinds of materials were
used. Keep in mind the amounts used. Be sure to
use only metric units to measure quantities.
Good Listing
3 – 15x15 cm squares of each:
Brawny, Bounty, Scott, &
Generic paper towels
250 ml graduated beaker
Poor Listing
Paper towels
750 ml water 20º C
1 – 20x20 cm square cake pan
Celsius thermometer
Clock with second hand
Water
Container
thermometer
Clock
Measuring cup
#5 PROCEDURE
Experiment
Variables
#5 PROCEDURE, cont…
Experiment
– List step-by-step directions - just like
a recipe - so anyone can easily
replicate the experiment.
– A minimum of 3 trials must be done.
#5 PROCEDURE, cont…
Sample Problem: “Do all brands of paper towels
absorb the same amount of water?”
Step-by-Step Directions: “Cut four 15x15 cm squares
from each brand of paper towel. Label each cut piece
with brand name. Pour 50 ml of 20ºC water into 20x20
cm square pan. Place 1 square of generic brand
paper towel into pan of water. Leave for 30 seconds.
Remove paper towel. Measure water remaining in pan
and record. Dry pan. Repeat procedure 2 more times
for each brand of paper towel (for a total of 3 trials.)
One square of each brand will NOT be tested – this is
the CONTROL variable used for comparison
purposes!
#5 VARIABLES
A variable is something that can be
changed in an experiment.
The INDEPENDENT VARIABLE is the
variable that is purposely changed to see
what results. (eg, different towel brands)
The DEPENDENT VARIABLE is the result
of manipulating the independent variable
and CAN ALWAYS BE MEASURED. (eg,
how much water each brand absorbed)
#5 VARIABLES, cont…
Keep all other variables the same
(CONSTANT VARIABLES) except
the one being tested which is the
Independent Variable.
The CONTROL variable is the same
as the Independent Variable but is
NOT tested. (It is used for
comparison purposes!)
#5 VARIABLES, cont…
The control variable in the previous
example is a square of paper towel
from each brand THAT IS NOT
TESTED!!!
The paper squares from each brand
that are tested are compared to the
control square that is not tested to
see what changes occurred during
testing.
#6 DATA
Data refers to information collected during the
experiment.
The data should include:
1. Detailed, day-by-day entries on a project’s progress
A. What is actually being done
B. Problems encountered
C. Changes to make for future experiments
D. Be sure to date every entry!
2. Any drawings that would help explain the work
3. Raw data collected (notes, tables, charts, graphs)
*NOTE - SEE SEPARATE POWER POINT ON RESEARCH LOG
#6 SAMPLE DATA TABLE
Towel Brand Brawny
Bounty
Scott
Generic
DATE
Trial #
#1
Water (ml)
remaining in
pan
#2
#3 Avg
#1 #2
#3
Avg #1 #2 #3 Avg #1 #2
#3 Avg
#6 DATA - MAKING A GRAPH
• Title: Short description of the data being displayed.
• Horizontal Axis: The Independent Variable (what was
manipulated on purpose) is displayed on the horizontal axis.
• Vertical Axis:
The Dependent Variable (what happened as
a result, or what is measured) is displayed on the vertical axis.
#6 DATA - MAKING A GRAPH A
Create a Graph http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx
Graph Free
http://www.graphfree.com/
#6 DATA ANALYSIS - RESULTS
Discuss patterns and/or trends in the
data. Explain why they occurred.
Interpret the data. State the findings of
the experiment based upon the data
observed and analyzed.
Describe any problems with the
experiment.
#7 CONCLUSION
After carefully analyzing and examining
the data, graphs, tables, charts,
trends…answer only these two questions
for the conclusion:
1. The bottom line - What were the results?
2. Was the hypothesis supported or not?
SAMPLE BOARD LAYOUT #1
ISEF SAMPLE BOARD #2
RECOMMENDED TIMELINE
WEEK #
1
2
go
3
4
5
6
7
8-9
10-11
12
13-16
WEEKLY OBJECTIVES
Topic approved
Proposal (problem statement and way student might
about researching and solving it).
#1-3 resource cards.
#4-6 resource cards
#7-10 resource cards
Hypothesis
Procedure: Materials, Variables, Data Table
design, Instruments
1000 word BACKGROUND Research Paper and
Bibliography
Experiment completed
Final Paper (includes all parts of a formal science
research paper)
Show board –display, design, and construction
ENDING NOTE
See FINAL RESEARCH PAPER power
point to learn how to properly assemble a
science research paper and science show
board in ISEF format.