Research Plan
If working with a partner, you will
turn in 1 assignment for both people.
THE GRADE EARNED WILL BE SHARED!
Read the following directions and rubric carefully.
Your Research Plan should be in the format and include the sections listed below. This
complete assignment is broken up into two parts with DIFFERENT DUE DATES:
Literature Review with Bibliography is DUE on 4/5/16 (A DAY), and 4/6/16 (B DAY)
Experimental Design is DUE on 4/13 (A DAY) and 4/14 (B DAY)
Read all sections! Proofread and do not wait until the last minute!
Format: 12 font New Times Roman or Arial, double spaced, centered headings,
spelling correct. (Each section also has individual instructions).
LITERATURE REVIEW (THIS PART IS DUE ON 4/5 OR 4/6)
The background information portion of your science research paper should be a
minimum of 500 words of information related to your project topic. This section should
include the types of information listed below and in the following order:
Introduction to topic (1 paragraph):
Purpose of study (ex. this paper will investigate the relationship
between…..)
Description of project including possible experimental groups (or subject of
study) explicitly identifying the independent and dependent variables
Constants should be described
A possible control group should be identified, if applicable
Detailed, specific information about the independent and dependent
variables.
Literature Review instructions continued (3-5 Paragraphs):
What is already known about the variables?
Previous research done in this area (what is the SCIENCE behind your
experiment?)
How this project relates to or expands on previous research
Explain unique procedures that might be required
Scientific significance/How your project is important to society
Remember citations should be included throughout your paper! See below:
In-text Citations – MUST BE DONE IN APA FORMAT
Include citations for any source of information that did not come from your own head.
Citations should be used instead of any type of footnote or endnote. The citation should
be located at the end of a sentence or paragraph and should be in the following form
(Author, year). Your paper should have citations that match your bibliography
throughout the paper!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The BIBLIOGRAPHY is found on a separate page with the word
BIBLIOGRAPHY centered in all caps at the top of the page. Entries are in
alphabetical order and not numbered. The first line of an entry is not indented; the
second and all other lines are indented.
Remember:
 You must have a minimum of 5 sources of information
 At least one of your sources must include an experiment with a similar
procedure to your project
 References not cited in the text should not be in the bibliography and vice
versa
 Multiple pages from one website count as only 1 source
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: (THIS PART IS DUE ON 4/13/16...A DAY AND
4/14/16…B DAY)
HYPOTHESIS
What is the hypothesis? Use an If…., then…. format. This must include your
Independent and Dependent Variable you will be using in your lab.
MATERIALS
The material list should be in the following bulleted format and follow the guidelines
listed below.

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


Items are not numbered
Size and quantity of each item listed
Specific names and/or scientific names are used
All measurements in metric units
Item numbers (from a scientific catalog) and cost for living things and chemicals
that will need to be purchased from a science supply company through school.
Include vendor address and phone number.
PROCEDURES
The procedure should be written in the following format and follow the guidelines:
1. Steps should be numbered.
2. Each action is written as a different step
3. It is written so that another student or researcher could exactly reproduce the
experiment.
4. Steps include all equipment used in the experimental set-up.
5. Steps include an exact description of how measurements will be taken and tools
that will be used
6. Steps are written in the 3rd person. Do not write your procedure in 1st person
(no I, We, You)
7. Include enough repeated trials in the procedure, this will depend on your
particular experiment, more is better (15 trials is the minimum)
8. Identify a control in the steps.
9. Describe constants and plan for uniform conditions for all trials.
10. Identify independent variable, dependent variable, and control in the procedures.
DATA ANALYSIS
You need to describe how you will analyze your data. You will use descriptive and
inferential statistics to evaluate the validity of your data. Write a statement to this effect.
“Descriptive and inferential statistics will be used to evaluate the data.”
Please turn this rubric in with your paper!
Part 1 (Literature Review) Due 4/5 and 4/6
Question/Short Background Research
Essential questions have been answered fully in a
minimum 500 word paper. A Bibliography of your sources
(minimum of 5, proper APA format) is included at the end.
Format
Paper is written in the correct format, no spelling or
grammar issues, correct APA format, font size and type,
Headings are centered.
TOTAL
Part 2 (Experimental Design) Due 4/13 and 4/14
Hypothesis
This is in an If…, then…. format? It addresses both the IV
and DV.
Partner 1: ______________________
Partner 2: ______________________
Points
Possible
30
10
40
Points
Possible
5
Materials
Items not numbered (use bullet points), size and number of
each item listed, specific names and/or scientific names
used, measurements in Metrics, all necessary equipment
is included. Cost and vendor information included for
school-ordered materials.
10
Procedures
Numbered steps, each action a different step, can be
reproduced, specific equipment listed in steps, written in 3 rd
person, 15 repeated trials, IV, DV, and control included and
described, constants and uniform conditions described
TOTAL
Points
Earned
25
40
Points
Earned