Research Plan Help: |
For your science fair approval, you need to submit a research plan and at least 3 forms to the RRSD (SRC) Committee. You may begin once they have given you a letter of approval, but not before.
To decide which additional forms you may need (if any) see below, see the forms page on this site, and ask Mrs. Evans.
To begin your plan, read the descriptions of each part below. Then, download the starting page, rename it and add your information to each part. Click on the Plan Form button below to open the document.
Remember to note all work done in your Log Book. (Date each entry and only use pen.)
All plans need:
Question: The question is the problem you are trying to solve. Good Example: What is the best way to tie my shoes so they will stay tied all day? It should be specific. Bad example: I wonder how other people tie their shoes. (This one is too vague and is not a problem with a possible answer.)
Or
EXPECTED OUTCOMES (if doing engineering method)
Hypothesis: This is usually in the form of an IF... THEN... statement. It states If I (do this specific thing), then (this will happen). It basically states your variables. If I (insert Independent Variable Here), then (insert Dependent variable here). Good example: If I double knot my shoe laces, then they will stay tied all day. (It is testable and measurable. It is not based on opinion. Either the shoes will stay tied, or they will not, but I would have numerical data to evaluate: Out of 10 tests the shoe laces stayed tied 9 times. (I can make a chart or graph with that data.)
This section requires the If...then statement and a short paragraph explanation about the precise meaning of the hypothesis.
Or
ENGINEERING GOAL(S) (if doing engineering method)
Rationale: This is why you made the hypothesis the way you did. Back it up with information. Why do you think that if you do that certain thing, then that will be the result? Explain what led you to believe this. Include background information on your topic. This is general information you have found in your research that can explain why this experiment is important, should do what you think it will, and/or will give the reader the basic background facts in order to understand the science being tested. (Explaining importance/possible contributions to science in your rationale is helpful for those interested in moving forward to Districts or State.)
Background: This is the stuff you highlighted from your articles. For 7th and 8th graders, this must include 5 or more citations (one for each article) in the form of (author last name, year published) example: (Evans, 2015) or if there is no author (first important word from title, published year) example: (Science, 2015) or if there is no published date use: n.d. example: (Evans, n.d.).
Write about anything and everything involving science that has to do with your experiment. PLUS: any scientific background information someone would need to understand before viewing your experiment. Imagine you are explaining it to someone younger than yourself. What would you need to tell them regarding the science behind it? What might you need to define? Use the information you highlighted in your 5 research articles to help you find important information to include.
Materials: A list of all items you will need, be as specific as you can with sizes and amounts. You may use bullet points.
Procedures: The specific steps you will do, written so someone else could recreate the experiment. These should be numbered and written in 2nd person.
Example:
Step 1: Pour 1 cup of distilled water into the pot.
Step 2: Heat the water to boiling. (Be sure Adult Supervisor is with you for steps 2-9.)
Step 3: Add 1 level Tablespoon of Kosher salt.
Variables: Independent Variable: the one thing you change on purpose
Dependent Variable: change(s) seen in the outcome - the results
Controlled Variables: all things that stay the same on purpose
Control: Most experiments are set up with an official control, for others it is not possible. If it is possible for yours, you should state it and identify why it is the control. An example would be if you were testing to see which brand of fertilizer makes plants grow tallest, then the control would be a plant that got no fertilizer at all, but the same amount of sunlight and water as the other plants and just as often.
Risk and Safety: Describe safety issues with your experiment and what measures you will be taking to keep yourself and others as safe as possible. A safety concern is something that because of your experiment puts you, siblings, pets OR your subjects at a higher than normal risk. Examples: Using a stove or heat source in your experiment: risk of burns; you will use appropriate hot pads, etc. and have an adult supervisor watching at all times. Using a quiz for classmates: risk of their self confidence dropping if they score low OR if others know they scored low; will keep identities of subject and all scores confidential. Handling chemicals: risk to splashes in the eyes; will wear safety goggles/risk of burning skin; will wear protective gloves and long sleeves. Using minor home use chemicals that will sit in an open bowl for 24 hours: will keep pets and younger siblings out of that room so they do not accidentally drink them. Asking strangers at church, the mall, the library to participate: risk of general stranger dangers; will be sure your adult supervisor is with you at all times.
(The idea is that you have thought about all possible dangers to you, younger siblings, pets and your subjects and have a plan to keep things as safe as possible for everyone involved and know what to do if something goes wrong.)
Data Analysis: Describe the "type" of results expected and that you will organize it with a data table, and how you plan to evaluate your data (meaning pick the type of graph that best represents this type of information and state the type of graph you will use here. Example: From the shoelace project: The results I expect are the number of days the shoe laces stayed tied all day compared to the number of days they did not. If I get hourly numbers I will include that data. I will keep track of all the data in a data table, and I will display this information on a bar graph to show the comparison.
Reference: The alphabetical list of your 5 references (or more). 7th and 8th are required to show citations in the background or other areas of their paper. Use the citation generator on the RRSD links page. Remember to select APA format first. When it asks if you want to include the URL select yes. After you paste your reference in you plan, add the publisher between the title and the date when you retrieved the data.
State Requirements in detail:
The research plan for ALL projects should include the following:
a. What is the RATIONALE for your project? Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem and
explain why this research is important scientifically and if applicable, explain any societal impact of your research.
b. State your HYPOTHESIS(ES), RESEARCH QUESTION(S), ENGINEERING GOAL(S), EXPECTED OUTCOMES. How is this
based on the rationale described above?
c. Describe in detail your RESEARCH METHODS AND CONCLUSIONS.
• Procedures: Detail all procedures and experimental design including methods for data collection. Describe only your
project. Do not include work done by mentor or others.
• Risk and Safety: Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed.
• Data Analysis: Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results that answer research questions or
hypotheses.
d. Bibliography: List at least five (5) major references (e.g. science journal articles, books, internet sites) from your literature
review. If you plan to use vertebrate animals, one of these references must be an animal care reference.
Items 1–4 below are subject-specific guidelines for additional items to be included in your research plan/project summary as
applicable.
1. Human participants research:
• Participants. Describe who will participate in your study (age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition). Identify any vulnerable
populations (minors, pregnant women, prisoners, mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).
• Recruitment. Where will you fi nd your participants? How will they be invited to participate?
• Methods. What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests? What is the frequency and
length of time involved for each subject?
• Risk Assessment
◊ Risks. What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved, social, legal, etc.) to participants?
How will you minimize the risks?
◊ Benefits. List any benefits to society or each participant.
• Protection of Privacy. Will any identifiable information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, birth dates, email addresses) be
collected? Will data be confidential or anonymous? If anonymous, describe how the data will be collected anonymously. If not
anonymous, what procedures are in place for safeguarding confidentiality? Where will the data be stored? Who will have access
to the data? What will you do with the data at the end of the study?
• Informed Consent Process. Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the study, what they will be asked
to do, that their participation is voluntary and they have the right to stop at any time.
2. Vertebrate animal research:
• Briefly discuss potential ALTERNATIVES to vertebrate animal use and present a detailed justification for use of vertebrate
animals
• Explain potential impact or contribution this research may have
• Detail all procedures to be used
◊ Include methods used to minimize potential discomfort, distress, pain and injury to the animals during the course of
experimentation
◊ Detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages
• Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, source, etc.
◊ Include justification of the numbers planned for the research
• Describe housing and oversight of daily care
• Discuss disposition of the animals at the termination of the study
3. Potentially hazardous biological agents research:
• Describe Biosafety Level Assessment process and resultant BSL determination
• Give source of agent, source of specific cell line, etc.
• Detail safety precautions
• Discuss methods of disposal
4. Hazardous chemicals, activities & devices:
• Describe Risk Assessment process and results
• Detail chemical concentrations and drug dosages
• Describe safety precautions and procedures to minimize risk
• Discuss methods of disposal