REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INVESTIGATORY PROJECTS
I. Content
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Apply/demonstrate scientific principles or attempt to provide new knowledge;
Be a result of continuing or parallel scientific research and investigation & not a copy of any
previous research;
Have socio-economic significance and relevance to livelihood development; and
Contribute to the advancement of S&T and the development of the community.
II. Physical Set-up/Visual Display
The physical set-up must be attractive and informative. Interested spectators and judges should easily
asses the study and the results obtained. Use clear and concise displays. Make headings stand-out, draw
graphs and diagrams clearly and label them correctly. A one-page project abstract must be posted in one
corner of the booth. Be sure to adhere to the size limitations and safety rules when preparing the display.
The maximum size of project display must be:
76 cm (30 inches) deep
122 cm (48 inches) wide
183 cm (40 inches) high excluding table
A Sample Diagram of a Science Fair Display
Fair organizers shall provide the participants with one (1) table & two (2) chairs to participants during the
division & regional science fair. At the national level, each finalist shall be provided with a display booth
with size not exceeding 1.5 m by 1.5 m including backboard, 1 table & 2 chairs.
NOT ALLOWED AT PROJECT OR IN BOOTH:
1.
2.
Living organisms, including plants
Human or animal food
Human/animal parts or body fluids (for example, blood, urine)
Preserved vertebrate or invertebrate animals
Plant materials (living, dead or preserved) which are in their raw, unprocessed or nonmanufactured state
6. Laboratory/household chemicals
7. Poisons, drugs, hazardous substances or devices
8. Dry ice or other sublimating solids
9. Sharp items (for example, syringes, needles, knives)
10. Flames or highly flammable materials
11. Batteries with open-top cells
12. Photographs depicting vertebrate animals in surgical techniques, dissections, improper handling
methods and improper housing conditions
13. Glasswares
14. Computer units & peripherals
3.
4.
5.
Prototype or model for technology projects maybe displayed but within allotted space for each project
only.
III. Abstract
Should consist of short, concise descriptions of the problem & its solution. It must be typewritten, one
page only, single-spaced with a maximum of 250 words, in Times Roman style, font
The abstract must state the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Purpose
Procedure Used
Results
Conclusion
IV. Research Paper
The research paper should contain the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Problem/s
Objectives
Methods & Procedures (described in detail)
Results
Conclusions and Recommendations
Bibliography (at least 3 major references)
Ethics Statement. Scientific fraud and misconduct are not condoned at any level of research or
competition. Plagiarism, use or presentation of other researcher's work as one's own forgery of approval
signature and fabrication or falsification of data will not be tolerated. Fraudulent projects will fail to
qualify for the competition.
III. Format of Research Paper
The project write-up must be typewritten double-spaced in short bond paper (8”x11”) and follows the
following format:
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Title Page – title of the project must be brief, simple and catchy.
Abstract - should consist of short, concise descriptions of the problem & its solution. It must be
one page only, single-spaced with a maximum of 250 words, typewritten in Times Roman style;
font 11. It must also state the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Purpose
a.
Background of the Study- states the rationale of the study. It explains briefly why the
investigator chose this study to work on.
Procedure used
Results
Conclusion
Acknowledgement – contains the names of people & agencies that helped in the conduct of the
work described.
Table of Contents – lists the different parts of the whole report with the corresponding page
number of each part. The wording & grammar of the chapter titles, heading & title of tables &
figures should be consistent.
Introduction – informs the reader of the problem under study. It shows the nature of scope and
the problem, its historical & theoretical background & a review of literature relevant to the
problem.
b.
Statement of Problem/Objectives – the nature & scope of the problem should be
presented with clarity. Two types of objectives maybe stated:
1.
c.
d.
e.
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2.
General Objective – this is related to the problem as given in the early part of the
section.
Specific Objective – this states the purpose of each experiment conducted.
Significance of the Study- the importance of the study is explained in this part.
Scope and Limitations – states the coverage & extent of the study.
Review of Related Literature – sufficient background information should be presented for
readers to understand & evaluate the results of the present study. Only the most important
studies and theories written on the topic should be included.
Methodology – provides enough details so that a competent worker can repeat the experiments.
a.
Materials/Equipment – the exact technical specifications, quantities and source of method
of preparation for all materials used should be given. Specifically built equipment used in
the study must be described and the description accompanied
by a picture.
b. Treatment/General Procedure – the manner & sequence by which each experiment or
set of observations were done & how measurements were obtained should be described in
detail. Avoid using the “recipe style” when stating the step-by-step procedure. Use the
narrative form in the past tense. This consists of several trials with control variables,
independent variables and dependent variables. Gathering of data is essential in any kind of
research. It is recommended to use control and experimental set-ups to arrive at valid conclusion.
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Independent variable - this is what you change in order to provide a result..
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Controlled variables - these are the things that never change.
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Dependent variable - this is what you are measuring, how much water the towel absorbs or
how much mold grows on the slice.
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Results and Discussion – this maybe divided into sub-sections describing each set of
experiment or observations.
a.
b.
Findings – the data maybe presented in full & discussed descriptively in the text or these
maybe summarized in tables, pictures & graphs. The statistical test used to determine the
possible significance of the finding should be described. Tables, pictures & graphs should
make the presentation of the data more meaningful.
Analysis of Data – the interpretation of the findings are discussed & the significant
features shown in the table, figures or graphs are pointed out.
Ethics Statement. Scientific fraud and misconduct is not condoned at any level of research or
competition. Plagiarism, use or presentation of other researcher's work as one's own and
fabrication or falsification of data will not be tolerated. Fraudulent projects are disqualified for
the competition.
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Conclusions – the general truth implied or illustrated by the results should be clearly stated. The
evidence based on the results should be summarized for each statement.
Recommendations – consists of suggestions on future actions such as a new direction of research
or further experiments to be performed, practices that might be adapted or discarded in order to
attain certain goals or objectives.
Bibliography – a list of the references used in guiding the research work and writing the paper.
Key Ideas Before you begin your Investigatory Project
1. If you haven't already, obtain a notebook to record all of your observations during your experiment.
2. Before starting your experiment, prepare a data table so you can quickly write down your measurements as you
observe them.
3. Follow your experimental procedure exactly. If you need to make changes in the procedure (which often
happens), write down the changes exactly as you made them.
4. Be consistent, careful, and accurate when you take your measurements. Numerical measurements are best.
5. Take pictures of your experiment for use on your display board if you can.
http://www.freesciencefairproject.com/requirements.htm
https://masmeronproductions.wordpress.com/2012/07/18/parts-of-the-science-investigatory-project-report/
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_experiment.shtml