Research Paper Requirements
All science projects/experiments should have an element of background research prior to beginning the actual
experiment. The production of a research paper is intended to educate the experimenter, but also to introduce
one to the subject matter prior to reviewing the procedures, data, and conclusions.
What a background research paper is NOT is a list of the procedures or experimental design. Do NOT discuss the
actual lab in your background research paper.
This paper will be submitted electronically via the website www.turnitin.com I will provide you with log in
information so that you may submit your paper. This website will allow you to check your paper for issues of
plagiarism.
Physical requirements:
 1 inch margins all around

12 font size; font- you may use either Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri

1.5 spacing between lines. NO spaces between paragraphs.

Indent your paragraphs.

At least 2 full pages of text, but more will probably be needed to cover the topic well.

One title page formatted as seen to the right. Use 12 point font for this
and be sure to center everything both with respect to all margins.

One literature cited page.
Research Biology
Your “working title”
Your name
Potomac Falls High School
Citing your sources:

You must use at least 3 valid sources that must be cited on you “Literature Cited Page”. If you reference a
source, it must be cited at least once in the paper.

Parenthetical citations should be used where needed, use APA format (author last name, year).

DO NOT use sources if you cannot find an author or a well-established institution for credit as author.

A Literature Cited page that is titled Literature Cited; sources in APA style and in alphabetical order.

Remember: This paper is in your words. Do not give me an assemblage of quotes.
Additional requirements:

Use italics for scientific names (example- Homo sapiens)

Introduction paragraph, concluding paragraph (no new information in concluding paragraph!)
Proofreading:

No personal pronouns (I, me, my, we, our….) Also no “you”. If you have any of these, reword it.

No contractions (won’t, can’t, shouldn’t)

Never use etc.

No slang (it was like…., that pretty much determined….etc.)

Define unfamiliar terms. Do not use words you do not understand.

PROOFREAD (no words missing). Do not rely on spell-check or grammar check to do this for you!
Certainly use these, but be sure to READ IT ALOUD to yourself!

Grammar/English language- Make sure that you use correct spelling, write clear sentences, and that your
paper is easy to understand.