LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL :COLLEGE PREP BIOLOGY
Genetics Research Project
Pre-Planning/Topic Sheet
Name:
Period: _____ Due Date
Points ______/50
01/22/2015
1.
Source of the Idea (5pt):
2.
Question (2pts): (Remember, only choose a topic that you can find library materials, equipment and
supplies for, procedures and expert advice on)
3.
Category:
4. a)
-Behavioral/Social Sciences
-Medicine and Health
-Biochem
-Genetics
-Botany
-Microbiology
Independent Variable if collecting data(2 pts):
Measured by:
b)
c)
______
Dependent Variable(2 pts):
Measured by:
d)
______
Control Variables (2 pts):
Measured by:
MR. FREE
Mentor’s Name:
Location:
DATA ANALYSIS (What kind of data are you going to collect to help you with your research
project…could be online, experimentation (25 pts):
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Bibliography (15 pts): Attach your 5 resources in a word document following the directions on the sheet
entitled “What is an Annotated Bibliography.
7. TEACHER COMMENTS: (Students: Leave this part blank!)
___ topic seems too simple for your grade level; choose another topic
___ topic requires university help – do you have access?
___ narrow your topic –too broad/too many variables
___ unclear what you might be testing
___ topic will require special permission, supervisor, & many forms
___ you may not use plants / people / surveys / sampling / partners
___ SEE ME within 3 days – you will need to re-do the Topic Sheet, but we must speak first!
AFTER GRADING, THIS SHOULD BE INSERTED INTO THE “FORMS” POCKET IN YOUR LOG
BOOK.
LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL :COLLEGE PREP BIOLOGY
SCIENCE RESEARCH PAPER (APA STYLE ONLY)
How to Write A Research Paper
A paper describing your research should consist of the following sections, which are well-written and to-the-point.
a) Title Page – Center the research project title, and put your name, course, school and grade at the bottom right.
Follow guidelines provided by your teacher for the format of the page and for additional information required for the
poster presentation
b) Table of Contents –
Number each section when you finish writing.
c) Introduction – This sets the scene for your research paper and report. The introduction should explain what
prompted your research and what you hoped to achieve. Refer to previous research as well as your own
observations, experiences and opinion. Form the review of the literature, summarize information essential for
understanding the research project. Include only critical background information on the independent and dependent
variables and research studies that directly relate to the research problem.
Establish a strong rationale for the study by emphasizing unresolved issues or questions. Conclude by stating the
purpose of the study and the research hypothesis.
d) The Experiment – Methods & Materials or Data Collection from Research Papers or Databanks from credible
science researchers such as National Science Foundation, Human Genome Project etc (META-ANALYSIS)
Describe in detail the methodology used by you in collecting your data and observations. Your report
should be detailed enough so that someone would be able to repeat your experiment just by reading your paper. Use
photographs and drawings when appropriate to describe your experiment. Step listings are not acceptable.
Include a precise description of the journal search engines that you used such as EBSCO, Cite all your sources of
data collection.
e) Results – Present the data collected in your research in tables and graphs; summarize the data in narrative form.
Include statistical analysis of the data. Do not include raw data; if necessary, the raw data can be placed in the
appendix. Include only information relevant to your research topic.
f) Discussion – The discussion is the meat of your paper. Your results and conclusions should flow smoothly and
logically from your data. Be thorough. Take readers through your train of thought, letting them know exactly what
you did. Compare your results with theoretical values, published data, commonly held beliefs and/or expected
results. A complete paper should also include a discussion of possible errors. How did the data vary between
repeated observations of similar events or different researchers? What are the opposing views based on research?
What would you do differently if you repeated this scientific research? What other experiments should be
conducted? Be sure to provide appropriate literature citations.
g) Conclusion – Briefly summarize your results. Be specific; do not generalize. Make sure not to introduce
anything in the conclusion that has not already been discussed above.
h) Acknowledgments/Credits –Credit assistance received from mentors, parents, teachers, and other sources. As
directed by your teacher, include statements by mentors that certify the precise nature of your work.
i) References/Bibliography – Your reference list should include any material that is not your own (i.e., books,
papers, journal articles and communications cited in the paper. See the Media Center or your English teacher for
help. Follow the prescribed bibliographic style manual precisely for all references including internet references.
APA Style is to be used.
j) Appendix – Include critical information that is too lengthy for the main section of the paper, such as raw data,
additional tables and graphs, copies of surveys or tests, and diagrams of specialized equipment